People who live or work in the District could benefit from more affordable housing in the coming years as part of an innovative new draft policy that was agreed last Friday (28 September).

Sevenoaks District Council’s draft Interim Housing Policy will tackle the lack of affordable housing in the area by setting out strict new criteria for planning applications in the District.

Under the new policy a predominate part of any new proposal for a residential development must consist of affordable housing, with a further proportion of the affordable housing being market discounted.

Market discounted housing is discounted by 30% of the market value, and reserved entirely for either residents of the District, people whose work provides important services within the District, or people who have long standing links with the local community.

The Policy also stipulates that in exceptional cases it may be agreed that affordable housing would be inappropriate at a particular location. On these occassions the development may still be approved on the basis that provision is made for affordable housing by the developer elsewhere, or that a payment be made, equivalent to the value of obligated affordable housing.

Other criteria new proposals have to meet, and clearly demonstrate, to be permitted include:

• The proposal will not lead to an increase in dwellings as a result of demolition and replacement 
• The proposal is required to meet the needs of agriculture or forestry 
• The proposal may be of overriding benefit to the local community. This could cover proposals that would secure the retention of a listed building, would enhance the appearance of a Conservation Area, or would provide special needs accommodation.

Cllr Jill Davison, Sevenoaks District Council member with responsibility for Strategic Planning, says: "In common with most places it is often difficult for people to get on the housing ladder in this area due to rising property costs. This draft Policy will help address that issue and will allow the Council to ensure the housing needs of the District are effectively met in the coming years, despite the limitations imposed on our housing allocation by regional policy."

In May 2006, in conjunction with local housing associations and the Housing Corporation, the Council helped to secure a £3.15million bid for affordable housing schemes in the District over the next two years.

Although the District is currently above the national average for the amount of affordable housing provided per 1,000 population, the last Housing Needs survey in 2004 identified the growing need for more affordable housing across the District.

The policy will now be published for public consultation, which will help inform the final version of the policy that will be presented to the Cabinet for approval in December. In the interim period the policy will be used with immediate effect.

The draft policy was approved at the meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday 28 September.

For further information please contact: Steve Mandaluff on 01732 227162 or e-mail steven.mandaluff@sevenoaks.gov.uk