Affordable housing
All councils are required to ensure at least some housing is considered affordable.
Core Strategy Policy CS21: Affordable Housing sets out our target for the number of affordable homes we aim to deliver by 2026 and the proportion of affordable housing, or the financial contribution to support their delivery that we expect to be provided where there is an increase in housing.
Where applicants consider that the charge is disproportionate, we request that the relevant information setting out the scheme's viability is submitted for independent assessment as set out in our Development Contributions SPD.
Since its iteration in February 2019, the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has incorporated the provision set out in the Written Ministerial Statement (WMS, 2014) in relation to affordable housing contributions. This introduced a conflict with our approach to affordable housing provision set out in Policy CS21. Our Statement on affordable housing provision on small sites (updated October 2021) outlines our position on the NPPF and how we intend to take forward decisions where there is a conflict between local and national policy:
To support the continued implementation of Policy CS21 on a case by case basis, we commissioned consultants (Dixon Searle Partnership (DSP)) to undertake a Viability Report to review the approach to seeking affordable housing contributions on sites of fewer than 10 units. We intend to undertake regular reviews on our approach and further updates will be published here. For more information see:
A legal agreement is required for provision of both affordable housing and SAMM and a unilateral undertaking template is available. Email tplan@elmbridge.gov.uk to request a copy of the template.
The Development Contributions SPD advises that the local planning authority (LPA) will seek early and late review mechanisms, where appropriate, when a development does not provide a policy compliant provision of affordable housing. The LPA is not currently seeking review mechanisms.
Elmbridge has some of the highest land values and property prices in the country. This makes it extraordinarily difficult for residents to find reasonably priced homes either to buy or to rent. However, it also means that nearly all development for new homes in the borough can make full affordable housing and CIL contributions.
We, as a council, are committed to doing everything in our power to address the housing crisis and to maintain the transparency and accountability of our decisions. As such we publish all financial viability appraisals submitted as part of planning applications received on or after Monday 19 March 2018 alongside other planning documents on our website.