1. planningpolicy@daventrydc.gov.uk Members Training- Affordable Housing 16 th September 2009 The process of developing affordable housing WELCOME

2. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 2 Agenda Elaine Ferguson – DDC Affordable Housing Officer Affordable Housing process and policy (development) Richard Mugglestone – Midlands Rural Housing Project Delivery Manager Realities of delivering AH – the barriers Keith Thursfield – DDC Development Control Manager Affordable Housing – Planning Requirements Questions

3. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 3 What is Affordable Housing? – Social Housing Housing that meets the needs of households who cannot afford to rent or buy on the open market Planning Policy Statement 3 states: – Affordable housing includes social rented and intermediate housing, provided to specified eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Affordable housing should: – - meet the needs of eligible households including availability at a cost low enough for them to afford, determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices: and – - include the provisions for: – (a) the home to be retained for future eligible households; or – (b) if these restrictions are lifted, for any subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision

4. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 4 Developing affordable housing What is involved? Who is involved? Site identification – site evaluation Needs evidence Planning application S106/unilateral agreements Code for sustainable homes – level 3 Land owner, developer, RSL, community, parish, DDC, * District Councillors

5. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 5 Developing affordable housing How does the process start? Request for feasibility – pre application consultation Land owner/developer RSL Parish Council Land agent Request for Housing Needs Survey Parish Council Land owner/developer RSL Communication – raising awareness- publication

6. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 6 Site classification Town Rural Exception sites – Saved Policies of Local Plan HS 26 & 27 Threshold for affordable housing – 15 units

7. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 7 Housing Needs Evidence Parish Housing Needs Survey DDC Common Waiting List Housing Market Study & Needs Estimates 2006

8. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 8 Site feasibility – pre application advice Evaluated in terms of Planning Policy & Development Control considerations Site classification Needs evidence Village Design Statement? DC – site physical attributes, saved local plan policies, Highways Planning condition – legal agreement S106 Is the site feasible yes/no – does the applicant need to obtain further information, carry out further work before a planning application can be submitted?

9. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 9 If the is site feasible? Do you need a S106? Depends on policy and planning considerations. Type of site and the threshold? (current threshold over 15 units 29% provision)

10. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 10 A note about planning authorities West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (over 50 units – town areas) Daventry District Council rural areas and town developments (under 50 units)

11. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 11 S106 required if the affordable housing development is…. Over 15 units in town or rural area An exception site

12. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 12 Current/new affordable housing developments Daventry town – Middlemore sites Rural – current Brixworth & Woodford Halse Rural – recently completed - Ravensthorpe Rural – a number a pre planning stage (HNS’s, site enquiries) On the horizon – appeal sites

13. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 13 Affordable housing – advocating rural schemes House prices in rural areas – beyond the reach Right to Buy depleted stocks by over 25% Limited affordable private rented sector Lack of development threatened village services schools, pubs, shops. Demand outstrips supply – Local people benefit from rural AH development

14. Planning Policy & Housing Strategy 14 Affordable housing – advocating rural schemes Local People Benefit How can you help? Obtaining knowledge on affordable housing Advocacy – local concerns Obtaining more information – enquiries Affordable Housing Officer, DDC website, ( recent schemes – PC’s, RSL’s)