SLP KDBH Extracts - Flipbook - Page 58
12.
The mechanisms and criteria for the delivery of Policy P4A will be set out in the
Meeting Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document.
13.
Further detail and guidance for delivery of Policy P4A will be set out in the Meeting
Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document
Justification
164.
The requirement for the provision of affordable housing is justified on the basis that Solihull
has a high level of unmet housing need, as evidenced in the Housing and Economic
Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA). This is supported by official data produced by
MHCLG and local Borough wide data on housing need.
165.
The HEDNA identified a need for 57827 affordable homes per annum. The scale of need
means that the Council is justified in seeking to secure as much affordable housing as
viability allows.
166.
The consequences of unmet housing need are significant. These can include homelessness,
households in temporary or unsuitable accommodation for longer periods of time and
overcrowding. Insufficient affordable housing will also act as an impediment to economic
growth where companies experience problems in workforce recruitment and retention.
167.
The level of need for affordable housing is therefore high in relation to the level of new
provision.
Provision of affordable homes is however limited by the proportion of
development that takes place, and will continue to take place, on sites below the national
affordable housing threshold. The site size threshold below which there is no requirement to
provide affordable housing will result in many sites which could reasonably have provided
affordable homes being fully developed only with market housing.
168.
The affordable housing threshold adopted in the 2013 Solihull Local Plan was 0.2 hectares
or 3 or more net dwellings. This threshold did not discourage development of small sites or
the replacement of individual homes at the end of their lifespan, and the Council considered
that it was appropriate to Solihull’s local circumstances
169.
The new threshold is dictated by changes to National Planning Policy Guidance and is
consistent with this. Setting the threshold of major development, where 10 or more homes
will be provided, or the site has an area of 0.5 hectares or more to meet the housing needs
of the Borough, is justified on the basis that housing developments at and above this level
should contribute to meeting the need for affordable housing.
170.
Since the adoption of a 40% affordable housing target (Policy H4 in the Solihull UDP,
February 2006 and Policy P4 in the Solihull Local Plan, December 2013), a wide range of
privately led residential developments have made provision at this level. The implementation
of the policy has had due regard to the suitability of each site and its capacity to provide
affordable homes. The Authority Monitoring Report highlights the delivery and contribution
this policy makes towards meeting the borough’s affordable housing need. It is therefore
considered appropriate to the Borough’s local circumstances.
171.
Policy 4A is set on a Borough wide basis. This reflects the fact that needs cannot always be
met where they arise, so use has to be made of the development opportunities that become
available. Therefore any development may need to provide for needs arising in another part
of the Borough. The only exception to this may be on rural ‘exceptions’ sites where housing
may be reserved for those with a local connection.
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This reduces to 224 if households already in accommodation are excluded.
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