Agenda item

The Head of Regulatory Services to submit a report outlining the new evidence available about the amount of new affordable housing needed and to suggest responses to the representations in the light of the new evidence, resulting in proposed changes to draft Policy C4 and its supporting reasoned justification.

The Chairman of the Melton Local Plan Working Group, Councillor Chandler presented the report prepared by the Head of Regulatory Services which outlined the new evidence available about the amount of new affordable housing needed and the amount of such housing that can be viably sought as part of new housing developments.  The report went on to summarise the key matters raised in the representations received to draft Policy C4: Affordable Housing Provision of the Pre Submission Draft Melton Local Plan, and to suggest responses to the representations in the light of the new evidence.  The final section of the report set out the resulting proposed change to draft Policy C4 and its supporting reasoned justification.

In commenting on the report, Councillor Chandler

•           drew Members’ attention to the new policy proposed (full details of which were contained under the later report on Focussed Changes) that would be put out to consultation;

•           stated that there were a host of details associated with affordable housing and a changing landscape driven by Government policy and various initiatives, all of which changed over time.  It was therefore proposed that the Council commits to a Supplementary Planning Document to back up the policy in which these were set out.  This was because this was a more flexible tool to produce planning policy at a detailed level and would enable the Council to respond more quickly to changing circumstances.

Councillor Chandler then moved the recommendations contained in the report numbered (i) to (iv).  Councillor Illingworth seconded the motion, reserving his right to speak later in the debate should he so wish.

A Member referred to para 3.6.1, subsection (vi) in the report which listed the Value Area 2 (north of the Borough) as 32.4% and queried whether this could be rounded down to 32%.  The Head of Regulatory Services agreed to this amendment.

The Deputy Leader raised a number of points on the issue of affordable housing, stating:

•           that the subject could be misinterpreted;

•           the housing market was not working in favour of people in this area;

•           starter home schemes represented a form of empowerment for individuals as it allowed the transfer of wealth from the developer;

•           he had been asked to make comments on behalf of Councillor Simpson who was unable to attend the meeting: starter homes were popular in the wards of both Somerby and Gaddesby.  These wards were in Value Area 1 and accordingly excluded some people from being able to afford properties.  Both he and Councillor Simpson would work with officers to develop the Supplementary Planning Document to support starter homes in their respective wards.

The Mayor then called for the vote on the motion as presented, which resulted in the motion being carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  That

(1) the new evidence relating to affordable housing contained in the Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (January 2017) (HEDNA) and the Revised Melton Local Plan and CIL Viability Report be noted;

(2) the relationship between the provision of affordable housing and the amount of CIL that could be collected from new housing developments be noted; 

(3) the detailed responses to representations, taking account of this new evidence (Appendix 1 of the report) be agreed;

(4) the proposed change to Section 5.8 of the draft Local Plan, including Policy C4, as set out in the Focused Changes Appendices ( contained in agenda Item 3I - minute CO29 refers), be agreed as part of a consultation on an Addendum of Focussed Changes to the Draft Melton Local Plan (para 3.7.6 of the report refers).