Policy information sourced from the Watford Local Plan 2021-2038.

HO3.3: Affordable Housing

Residential developments, of 10 homes or more will be supported where they provide at least 35% affordable housing (by habitable room).

Proposals will be required to provide a mix of affordable housing tenures, including a minimum of 60% of new affordable homes as homes for social rent. The homes for social rent should seek to prioritise family-sized (three+ bedrooms) accommodation and reflect the most up-to-date Housing Strategy.

Affordable housing should be provided on site. The Council will not support provision in lieu through commuted sums, other than in exceptional circumstances where it can be clearly demonstrated that it is not feasible to provide affordable housing on site.

Affordable housing is to be fully integrated in the development and to be designed and built to the same standard as market housing.

Where a viability assessment, undertaken in accordance with national planning policy and guidance, demonstrates particular circumstances that mean the affordable housing requirements set out in this policy cannot be met, a late-stage review mechanism, which is triggered when 75% of the units in a scheme are sold or let (or a period agreed by the Local Planning Authority) will be required.

Where it is demonstrated that a higher number of affordable units can be achieved on site, up to 35%, the applicant will be required to provide the additional units to the Local Authority or Registered Housing Provider upon completion of the development.

For more information, please see the Watford Local Plan 2021-2038.