Affordable housing update

Policy HO3 of the CS and P DPD requires up to 50% of housing to be affordable where the development comprises 15 or more dwellings.  However, policies are out of date for the purposes of para 11(d) of the NPPF 2021 (i.e., the presumption in favour of sustainable development) if they have been overtaken by matters which have happened since the plan was adopted.  The NPPF 2021, refers to 10 dwellings as the minimum starting point for affordable dwellings rather than the 2009 local plan policy of 15 dwellings.  Therefore, given that the guidance in the NPPF is up-to-date and Spelthorne has an unmet need for affordable housing in the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) 2019, it is considered that the 10 dwellings rather than 15 dwellings should be used as the starting point for decision-making.  The Council's policy is to seek to maximise the contribution to affordable housing provision from each site having regard to the individual circumstances and viability, including the availability of any housing grant or other subsidy, of development on the site.  Negotiation is conducted on an 'open book' basis.