Decision details

To approve the approach to Affordable Housing Policy in preparation for the Core Strategy examination.

The Director of City Development submitted a report on the outcome of the Core Strategy Examination in relation to Leeds’ affordable housing policy and sought approval to a proposed modification to the Core Strategy in order to incorporate the affordable housing targets and thresholds in response to comments received from the Inspector.

The report outlined how the Council’s submission Core Strategy, as part of the Local Development Framework, had been the subject of Independent Examination, with the main block of Hearing sessions being held in October 2013. Core Strategy Policy H5 set out the approach to affordable housing, which currently advocated the use of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to set thresholds and targets for the delivery of affordable housing. The Council had argued at Examination that this approach was consistent with the regulations that govern the use of SPD and would enable the Council to respond to changes in market conditions in a timely way.

The Inspectors response to this approach was included as Appendix 2 of the report and concluded that the use of an SPD for setting affordable housing thresholds and targets was inappropriate. The Inspector had recommended that thresholds and targets for affordable housing be incorporated within the Core Strategy.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services indicated that one further revision may be required in respect of the Scholes affordable housing boundary, in consultation with local ward Councillors

RESOLVED – That, subject to a further review (and amendment if necessary) of the Scholes affordable housing boundary,

a)  That the overall approach to the revised affordable housing targets and thresholds in Core Strategy Policy H5 as set out in Paragraph. 3.2 and as amended in Appendix 3 of the submitted report be approved, and that the Chief Planning Officer be authorised to take such steps as are necessary to pursue this modification to the submitted Core Strategy as part of the formal examination;

b)  To note:

·   the stages required to implement the decision as outlined in paragraph 3.6 of the submitted report

·  proposed timescales for implementation as outlined in paragraph 3.6

·  that the Head of Forward Planning and Implementation will be responsible for implementation following formal adoption of the plan.

(The matters referred to within this minute were designated as being exempt from Call In due to the fact that it was necessary for the decision to be exempt in order to allow publication of the modifications as part of the Core Strategy timetable. The reasons for the urgency of the decisions were detailed within paragraph 4.5.1 to 4.6 of the submitted report)

On-going as part of the Core Strategy process

Core Strategy consultees at pre-submission version of the Core Strategy