Summary
The Vale of Glamorgan Council uses the following definition of 'affordable housing' in relation to the planning system: “Social rented housing owned by local authorities and registered social landlords and intermediate housing where prices or rents are above those of social rent but below market housing prices or rents. All other types of housing are referred to as ‘market housing’, that is private housing for sale or rent where the price is set in the open market and occupation is not subject to control by the local planning authority.” What study of the Affordable Housing Background Paper shows is that the targets set for "affordable housing" are not about actually building "affordable housing", but at getting money from developers. Census results support the belief that the more houses there are, the higher house prices are. The census' of 2001 and 2011 show a population growth of 7% and a growth in the number of dwellings of 7.5%. Banks use mortgages to create new money, hence the credit crunch in 2008. The councils plans leave no land for self builders. BBC figures clearly show that major developers, of the type that would build a large estate to the east of St Nicholas charge a price premium to customers.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14125196
According to LDP documentation, the targets and thresholds for affordable housing are set out in LDPs are "based on a robust assessment of site viability:" “The target should take account of the anticipated level of finance available for affordable housing, including public subsidy, and the level of developer contribution that can realistically be sought”.
A 5 year requirement of 915 affordable units per year to reduce the affordable housing need in the Vale to zero - however, at present, there is an over supply of "affordable housing" the in East Vale - Wenvoe (including St Nicholas and Bonvilston) and Peterston council wards.  From the LDP documents: 4.3 (page 7) In Barry the affordable housing need is greatest but land and housing market values are lower. In contrast, in the submarkets of Penarth, Rural and East Vale areas, site viability provides greater opportunities for the delivery of affordable housing. 4.4 Additionally, the study highlights that there exists considerable scope for the Council to lower its affordable housing site threshold requirements below that set within its current planning policy framework. With the exception of Barry East, the assessment indicates potential for affordable housing contributions to be sought on single dwelling sites. 4.8 Therefore the plan adopts a 5 dwelling threshold and at least 30% affordable housing requirement in the Barry and Rural South Coast. Elsewhere the LDP shall require a minimum 35% affordable housing contribution on sites of 1 or more dwellings, which should be delivered in the form of either a commuted sum or on site provision. Further detail on the Council’s procedures for securing affordable housing, including commuted sums shall be set out in future Supplementary Planning Guidance. 4.9 THE PROVISION OF AT LEAST 35% AFFORDABLE HOUSING WILL BE REQUIRED ON ALL SITES IN: WENVOE; THE MINOR RURAL SETTLEMENTS AND THE RURAL VALE OF GLAMORGAN
St Nicholas consists of many unique homes, built individually, often by their eventual occupier. This practice, evidence suggests, makes homes more affordable, whilst providing the homes that people actually enjoy living in and adding to the character of the present village. Self-building encourages slow and organic growth, as opposed to large, characterless estates.
|
LDP >
