Issue - decisions

The Council was in the process of reviewing its Local Plan in order to plan and manage development to 2031. In order to inform development of the Council’s affordable housing policy position, the Council commissioned consultants to carry out a high level assessment of the likely potential for the provision of affordable housing on smaller sites than currently required through the adopted Cambridge Local Plan 2006 (15 units). This may be either through on-site provision of affordable housing or via a financial contribution mechanism.

The findings of the draft report (Supplementary Report Small Sites –Affordable Housing Viability) informed the development of the draft policy on affordable housing which was reported to and agreed at Full Council on 27 June 2013.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change:

The Executive Councillor resolved:

       i.          To endorse the content of the Supplementary Report on Small Sites – Affordable Housing Viability 2013, the findings of which have been used as a part of development of the draft affordable housing policy agreed at Full Council on 27 June 2013, for use as an evidence base for the review of the Local Plan and as a material consideration in planning decisions.

Reason for the Decision:

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations:

The Committee received a report from the Principal Planning Policy Officer regarding the Small Sites Affordable Housing Viability Assessment.

The Committee asked the following questions regarding commuted sums:

       i.          Could they be added to right to buy receipts?

     ii.          How long could the financial contributions be kept before they had to be spent?

   iii.          Who was the money available to?

   iv.          Could Housing Associations access it?

The Principal Planning Policy Officer stated that   she would investigate if commuted sums could be added to right to buy receipts. She agreed to contact the Legal and Housing Departments for guidance regarding the how long the financial contributions could be kept for. She further agreed to contact the Strategic Housing Manager for more information on which organisations could access the money.

Action

In response to questions from the Committee, the Head of Planning confirmed that an Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document would be prepared and was planned to be available ready for adoption of the new local plan. This would include a methodology for calculating commuted sums.    

The Committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

Not applicable.