Policy information sourced from Three Rivers Core Strategy

CP4 Affordable Housing

In order to increase the provision of affordable homes in the District and meet local housing need as informed by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment, the Council will:

  • In view of the identified and pressing need for affordable housing in the District, seek an overall provision of around 45% of all new housing as affordable housing, incorporating a mix of tenures. All new development resulting in a net gain of one or more dwellings will be expected to contribute to the provision of affordable housing
  • As a guide, seek 70% of the affordable housing provided to be social rented and 30% to be intermediate
  • Allocate specific sites, at higher or lower proportions of affordable housing depending on site circumstances, location and density of development. In some cases a target of 50% or above may be appropriate. Site specific targets will be set through the Site Allocations Development Plan Document
  • Require the affordable housing provided to reflect the mix of size and type required for future housing, as identified in the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and subsequent updates and Council priorities for provision which is currently for familysized dwellings to meet the most urgent housing needs in the District
  • In most cases require affordable housing provision to be made on site, but in relation to small sites delivering between one and nine dwellings, consider the use of commuted payments towards provision off site. Such payments will be broadly equivalent in value to on-site provision but may vary depending on site circumstances and viability
  • Permit small-scale affordable housing within and immediately adjacent to the village core areas of Sarratt and Bedmond on the basis of need through the release and allocation of Rural Exception Sites. Allocations will be made through the Site Allocations Development Plan Document.

In assessing affordable housing requirements including the amount, type and tenure mix, the Council will treat each case on its merits, taking into account site circumstances and financial viability. In calculating the percentage of affordable units to be provided as part of a development scheme, the affordable housing requirement will normally be ‘rounded up’ to the nearest whole number.

For more information please see the Three Rivers Core Strategy