This consultation was about future polices for affordable housing planning policy in the Vale of Aylesbury Plan (VAP). It ran from Monday 13 August 2012 until Monday 10 September 2012.

The consultation is now closed.

The affordable housing consultation booklet and the accompanying sustainability appraisal are the two documents that were consulted on.

What was the consultation about?

The consultation considered how much affordable housing we should be aiming to provide in the district, and which developments should contribute to the supply.

What is Affordable Housing ?

Affordable housing includes social rented (housing owned by local authorities and private registered providers where rent costs are determined through the national rent regime), affordable rented (housing let by local authorities or private registered providers where no more than 80% of local market rent is charged), and intermediate housing (homes for part sale and part rent provided at a cost above social rent, but below market levels ). Affordable housing is provided to eligible households whose housing needs are not met, and who cannot afford to enter the housing market.

Why do we need planning policy on Affordable Housing?

There is a significant identified shortage of affordable housing in Aylesbury Vale. The latest information on housing needs identifies 588 new affordable dwellings are needed per year. In recent years an average of 334 new affordable homes have been built per year.

The current uncertainty about the economic viability of development in the district is added to by uncertainty over the future levels of government grants to Registered Social Landlords/Registered Providers to provide affordable housing.

What evidence is there?

You may wish to look at the evidence in considering your response to this consultation. Our main pieces of evidence are:

• Updated Housing Needs Study 2007. This study assesses the existing and future levels of affordable housing need within the urban and rural areas of the district, updating the 2003 study. It takes into account factors such as average house prices, household size, and local incomes.

• Affordable Housing Viability Study 2007. This study assesses how provision of affordable housing impacts on the viability of development, taking into account other developer contributions and the economics of house building in the district.

• Needs and Growth Assessment 2011 (Hearns). This study assesses the dynamics of the housing market areas and of the local economy, looking at past trends and projections

• Sustainability Appraisal. This is a document which assesses the different options for affordable housing policies against a set of sustainability objectives so that the impacts of each can be considered. The sustainability appraisal is also being consulted upon during this consultation period and is available to download below. Please follow the related link below to view more information about sustainability appraisals. 

Date Updated: 26/09/12