Affordable housing development

Woking Borough Council's approach to Affordable Housing is set out in Policy HSG10 of the Local Plan. This requires that on all housing sites of more than 1 hectare or 25 units the Council will normally expect an element of affordable housing to be provided. The exact proportion will be determined through consideration of market and site conditions and local needs and through a process of negotiation with the developer of the site.

The Borough Council has produced an Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Guidance relating to policy HSG10 of the local plan. Please note Table 1 within the guidance related to payment of commuted sums has been reviewed.

The main elements of the Supplementary Planning Guidance set out:

  • That the Borough Council will expect 35% affordable housing on sites that trigger the threshold and will refuse planning permission if this is not provided unless there are clear reasons why this is not deliverable.
  • On any future housing exceptions sites the Borough Council will expect a substantially higher percentage of affordable housing as the primary benefit to balance the policy objection. The details will be determined on a site by site basis through negotiation.
  • The mix of unit types to be sought on site in order to address local housing need and in particular, to address the local need for affordable family housing.
  • That the Borough Council expects 85% of the units to be available at social rents through an RSL or at a cost, availability and quality equally advantageous to occupiers.
  • The preferred location for affordable housing will be on site, and only if on site provision of family housing is not appropriate will alternatives of off site provision or cash in lieu contributions be considered.

Affordable Housing in Surrey

The Borough Council has also been involved in the preparation of a best practice guide promoting the provision of affordable housing in Surrey entitled "Making affordable housing happen in Surrey".

The guide was prepared by consultants Oldfield King who were commissioned jointly by the Surrey Planning and Housing Officers' Associations. The guide aims to encourage the provision of affordable housing by promoting best practice and assisting those involved in the planning process to maximise the provision of affordable housing.

The guide does not attempt to provide prescriptive solutions to specific issues. Rather it provides an overview in the context of the planning process. It covers the processes involved in securing affordable housing including policy formulation, assessing housing needs, the role of Registered Social Landlords and the use of legal agreements.

The guide also provides a number of working examples and draws heavily from research and best practice across the County and beyond. It is hoped that the guide will also provide a useful signpost for practitioners to find more information on a particular topic when required. The guide is aimed primarily at Local Plan, Development Control and Housing Officers involved in the process, with the aim of assisting them to obtain the maximum amount of affordable housing using the existing legal powers of the planning and housing systems.

The guide encourages joint working between housing and planning officers and all those involved. It is very much hoped that this guide will prove a practical aid to those involved in the process of 'Making Affordable Housing Happen in Surrey' and that it will become an indispensable tool for everyone involved.