Policy information sourced from the Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan 2021-2038
LPRSP10(B): Affordable Housing.
- 1. On major housing development sites or mixed-use development sites where 10 or more dwellings will be provided, or the site has an area of 0.5 hectares or more, the council will require the delivery of affordable housing.
- 2. The target rates for affordable housing provision within the following geographical areas, as defined on the Policies Map, are:
- a. Greenfield development in mid and high value zones at 40%;
- b. Brownfield development in high value zone at 40%;
- c. Development in the low value zone and brownfield development in the mid value zone will be expected to deliver an element of on site affordable housing. If it can be demonstrated through an open book financial appraisal this is not viable, based on the construction costs based on delivering high quality design and public realm, then the developer shall make a proportionate off-site contribution to the delivery of affordable housing. Evidence of engagement with affordable housing funders and providers, including the council and Homes England as appropriate, should be submitted with the financial appraisal.
- 3. Affordable housing provision should be appropriately integrated within the site. In exceptional circumstances, and where proven to be necessary, off-site provision will be sought in the following order of preference:
- a. An identified off-site scheme;b. The purchase of dwellings off-site; orc. A financial contribution towards off-site affordable housing.
- 4. The indicative targets for tenure are:
- a. 75% Social and affordable rented;b. 25% intermediate or affordable home ownership.
- 5. Where 25% of First Homes will not be adequate to meet the minimum 10% Affordable Home Ownership target set by the NPPF, then any shortfall can be met through the provision of First Homes or an alternative Affordable Home Ownership product.
- 6. Developers are required to enter into negotiations with the council’s Housing Department, in consultation with registered providers, at the earliest stage of the application process to determine an appropriate tenure split, taking account of the evidence available at that time.
- a. The council will seek provision of 20% affordable housing for schemes that provide for Use Class C3 retirement housing on greenfield mid to high value zones and brownfield sites in high value zones. C2 Use Class will not be expected to deliver affordable housing;
- b. The council has set a zero affordable housing rate for fully serviced residential care homes and nursing homes;
- c. Where it can be demonstrated that the affordable housing targets cannot be achieved due to economic viability, the tenure and mix of affordable housing should be examined prior to any variation in the proportion of affordable housing.
- 7. The adopted Affordable and Local Needs Housing Supplementary Planning Document contains further detail on how the policy will be implemented.
For more information, please visit Maidstone’s Local Plan Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan 2021-2038