Object

Representation ID: 7897

Received: 24/09/2021

Respondent: Home Builders Federation

The Council note in paragraph 3.5 of this section that the Council may need to apply a stepped trajectory. Whilst we appreciate that this may be the case the Council must explore all avenues to ensure that it does not seek to push back meeting housing needs until later in the plan period or at least minimises this if a step is to be utilised. Paragraph 68-021 of Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) is clear on this issue stating that using a stepped requirement must be evidenced and does not seek to unnecessarily delay meeting identified needs.
A further reason why the Council must focus on ensuring a consistent supply of homes is to ensure that this supply supports the Government’s drive to improve affordability. The Government recognise that increased supply is a factor in ensuring that affordability does not get worse and as such any delay in meeting needs will only succeed in neutering the reason for, and the benefits of, the affordability uplift applied through the standard method.