Object

Representation ID: 7437

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: Mr D De Massey

Agent: CC Town PLanning

It is urged that the LNA is kept under constant review as additional evidence comes
to light. It is further urged that the document be reviewed as further detail becomes
clear regarding the Government’s agenda for planning reform and information relating
to the Oxford to Cambridge Arc is released.
The document undertakes a thorough assessment of those individuals and
households who are considered to be in housing need currently and provides detailed
forecasting in regard to those housing needs which will need to be met up to 2040.
Page 9 of the document makes it clear that over the life of the emerging plan there is
a need for 6170 affordable dwellings, which equates to a delivery rate of 309 affordable dwellings per annum. This is a step change from the 238 affordable
dwellings per annum which were constructed in the Borough between 2014 and 2019.
It is considered that to increase the delivery of affordable housing a step change in
overall housing delivery is required. Between 2016 and 2019 the MHCG Live Table
1800C shows that the average number of affordable properties as a percentage of
overall housing delivery in the Borough was 20.875%.
The LNA states that 6170 affordable dwellings are required between 2020-2040 this
is representative of 49.36% of the total strategic housing requirement (12,500) up to
2040. Clearly, this is a significant increase which will need to be pragmatically
addressed.
When taking into consideration the requirements of adopted policy 58S Affordable
Housing, which sets the affordable housing requirement of 30% on sites over 10
dwellings, there would need to be 20,566 dwellings constructed (on sites over 10
dwellings) during the period 2020-40 to ensure that these affordable housing needs
are met. Subsequently, it is considered that the emerging LP’s strategic housing target
should be revised in light of this significant need for affordable housing.
In further assessment, the LNS provides an evidenced based calculation which seeks
to establish an overall housing need figure for the Borough up to 2040 and concludes
that the plan should seek to deliver 26,100 dwellings up to 2040. Accounting for the
current commitments (13,000) this leaves a balance of 13,100 dwellings which is 600
dwellings greater than the amount planned for within the emerging LP.
Notwithstanding the comments relating to affordable housing delivery, the evidence
base contains sufficient justification for the adoption of an increased housing target. It
does however suggest that the target within the emerging plan should be more
ambitious to ensure a boost to the housing supply is achieved.