Policy information sourced from St Albans District Local Plan

8 Affordable Housing in the Metropolitan Green Belt

Planning permission for affordable housing for local needs in the Metropolitan Green Belt will be granted only where the following criteria are complied with:

  1. evidence must be produced to show that the village or parish concerned has a demonstrable need for low cost housing which cannot he met in a non-Green Belt location;
  2. secure arrangements must be made to ensure that:
    • the housing is reserved permanently for people with strong local connections, namely:
      • those who live in the parish;
      • those who used to live in the parish, but have moved out because of a lack of affordable housing; or
      • those who have employment in the parish;
    • the housing is affordable, not only for the initial occupants but also for subsequent occupants.
    • Such arrangements will normally involve a housing association or a landlord approved by the Housing Corporation; or covenants between the original landowner and the developer; or agreements under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Section 33 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982; or planning conditions;
  3. sites shall be within the reasonable physical limits of Green Belt settlements (see Policy 2), in locations dominated by buildings rather than open countryside;
  4. sites must be small in size and shall not normally exceed 0.4 hectares;
  5. proposals must not detract from the character and setting of the settlement or harm the ecology, natural beauty and amenity of the countryside. Substantial landscaping will normally be required;
  6. proposals should normally comply with Policy 2. Policy 70 also applies, with the exception of parking provision, which will he considered under Policy 40, criterion (5) and the results of Project 5.

The number of dwellings permitted in each parish will be kept under review. In accordance with Government guidance, any housing permitted under this policy will be additional to the dwelling increase proposed.

Footnote

(1) Evidence of need should be assessed through a questionnaire survey providing the following information:

  • the age of household/persons in need;
  • the size of household;
  • where accommodation is sought;
  • the type of accommodation required;
  • the price of housing that can be afforded (both for rent or purchase);
  • current tenure and location of accommodation;
  • general indication of annual income and capital;
  • size and facilities of current accommodation.

Other indicators such as the Council Housing Waiting List will also be used. Independent assessments of need are preferred, such as the Hertfordshire Community Council’s surveys based on advice from the Rural Housing Trust.

For more information please see the Local Plan