Object

Representation ID: 22974

Received: 16/03/2020

Respondent: Barratt David Wilson Homes

Agent: Pegasus Planning Group

Policy 5 requires 'at least' 33% affordable housing across the plan area and 'at least' 28% in Norwich City Centre. However, the evidence base for this (SHMA) suggests that a lower figure of 28% affordable housing is needed across the Greater Norwich area expressed as a proportion of a lower housing number than is now being proposed in the GNLP. There seems, therefore, to be a serious lack of evidence to justify a higher figure across the wider plan area, which raises significant concerns about the appropriateness of the Councils' strategy of not considering alternatives to this policy requirement.

Finally, the inclusion of the words ‘at least’ before the percentage requirement of affordable housing should be omitted as it raises expectations that this is the minimum figure that will be delivered on sites. Where there are site specific reasons for delivery of a lower percentage of affordable housing planning officers would have less flexibility to make a planning judgement taking into account other material considerations if there is no amendment to the wording of Policy 5.

As currently evidenced, the approach set out in Policy 5 is not justified.