Issue - meetings

This report asks Members to consider the advice of the Local Development Framework Working Group (LDFWG) in respect of proposed changes to the affordable housing targets in rural areas.  The advice will be tabled at the meeting, following the meeting of the LDFWG on 5 December 2011.

RECOMMENDED:   That Council approve Option 1 as recommended by the LDFWG to reduce the affordable housing target on rural sites to the targets identified in Table 2, page 51 of the report.

REASON:                  In accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Constitution and the position of the LDF Working Group as an advisory body to the Cabinet.

Members considered a report which detailed the interim approach to affordable housing which had endorsed the reduction in the affordable housing targets in line with Fordham’s Affordable Housing Viability Study in advance of the LDF Core Strategy examination in 2012.

Approval of the recommendation had however not included the reduction of the rural affordable housing target on sites between 2 and 15 homes from the interim approach. It was confirmed that this report had been considered at the meeting of the LDFWG on 5 December in an effort to clarify and amend the anomaly.

The report had invited Members to consider the following options:

Option 1: In-line with the interim policy approach for large sites greater than 15 units, reduce the affordable housing target on small rural sites (between 2 and 15 units) to the targets identified in Table 2, evidenced by the AHVS. 

Option 2: Retain a 50% target on rural developments of between 2 and 15 units and apply the targets identified in the evidence base pragmatically.

Option 3: Retain the 50% target but increase the threshold at which it will apply to 8 homes.

It was reported that the Working Group had supported option 1 to reduce the affordable housing target on rural sites.

RECOMMENDED:   That Council approve Option 1 as recommended by the LDFWG to reduce the affordable housing target on rural sites to the targets identified in Table 2, page 51 of the report.

REASON:                  In accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Constitution and the position of the LDF Working Group as an advisory body to the Cabinet.