Affordable housing statement

Circumstances when document should be submitted

All applications where there is a requirement to provide affordable housing (whether on site or by means of an offsite financial contribution).

The New Forest National Park Core Strategy Policy CP11: Affordable Housing outlines that within the four defined villages at least 50% of the residential development on all sites should be affordable housing, with the remainder being open market housing. Proposals for single dwellings within the defined villages will be required to make an affordable housing contribution to be used in the local area, rather than on site provision. Across the rest of the National Park (including the other villages not included as defined villages), small-scale affordable housing developments may be permitted as “exceptions” on sites in or adjoining villagesto meet the identified needs of local people in these areas.

For on site provision, the affordable housing statement needs to say how the affordable housing would be provided; the number of bedrooms, the anticipated tenure (e.g. social rented/shared equity) and details of any Registered Social Landlords acting as partners in the development.

In the case of one new dwelling the affordable housing statement should confirm that the applicant is willing to make a financial contribution towards off site provision, specifying the amount to be paid.

In all cases, the statement should include the relevant contact details of the applicant’s solicitors and copies of the current land registry titles. This will help the Authority to draft the necessary section 106 agreement and thereby minimise delays in the determination of the application.

Policy reference

PPS3 Planning Policy Statement 3 Housing (June 2011)