Policy information sourced from the Tower Hamlets Local Plan
D.H2 Affordable housing and housing mix
1) Development is required to maximise the provision of affordable housing in accordance with a 70% rented and 30% intermediate tenure split.
2) Devlopment is required to maximise the delivery of affordable housing on-site.
- Affordable housing calculations will be based on habitable rooms
- Off-site affordable housing will only be considered in circumstances where it:
- is not practical to provide affordable housing on-site
- does not result in an over-concentration of one type of housing in any one local area to ensure mixed and balanced communities
- can provide a minimum of 50% affordable housing overall, subject to viability, and
- can provide a better outcome for all of the sites, including a higher level of affordable rented family homes.
- If a suitable site cannot be found in accordance with Part 2(b), exceptional circumstances may apply and payments in-lieu will be considered
- Development which provides further housing units either through an amendment to a current permission or an application to extend an existing development on the same or an adjoining site (where the extension is reliant on the existing permission or development to function or to meet policy requirements or standards required elsewhere in the plan), the affordable housing calculation for the new units will be based on the combined number of units.
3) Development is required to provide a mix of unit sizes (including larger family homes) in accordance with local housing need, outlined in the table below:
| Market | Intermediate | Affordable rented | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed | 30% | 15% | 25% |
| 2 bed | 50% | 40% | 30% |
| 3 bed | 20% | 45% | 30% |
| 4 bed | 20% | 45% | 15% |
4) Development which involves the conversion of family homes will only be permitted when a 3-plus bed unit is retained in the new development. Where applicable, the retained family unit should have access to a private garden.
5) Estate regeneration development schemes are required to:
- protect and enhance existing open space and community facilities
- protect the existing quantum of affordable and family units, with affordable units re-provided with the same or equivalent rent levels
- provide an uplift in the number of affordable homes, and
- include plans for refurbishment of any existing homes to the latest decent homes standard.
6) Major developments and estate regeneration schemes are required to undertake thorough and inclusive public consultations proportionate to the nature and scale of development and submit a consultation statement detailing these activities.
For more information please see the Local Plan