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V26-759 : COMMUTED SUMS

The revised report of the Director of Housing and Environmental Services was circulated at the meeting. The report reminded members that Planning Policy Guidance note 3 determined the need for affordable housing as a Material Consideration when considering Planning Applications. The preference was for affordable housing for rent as this best met the established housing need.
There was also the option of a Commuted Sum as an alternative on sites not suited to the above. This would be used to provide affordable rented housing on more suitable sites, and bolster the amount of Local authority Social Housing Grant available to enable Housing Association development.

There was no formula available to calculate the Commuted Sum, generally agreed to relate to plot value. A recent Norfolk development saw the developer agreeable to a Commuted Sum of £10k per plot, which would act as a reasonable benchmark.

RESOLVED

1. That as a matter of general policy, the Council will insist on "on site" affordable housing being provided within housing developments, where planning policy is applicable, via an agreement under Town and Country Planning legislation and in accordance with the county-wide supplementary planning guidance on such agreements; in such cases, the Director of Housing and Environmental Services be given delegated authority to decide the most appropriate form of such "on site" provision.

2. That in exceptional cases, the Director of Housing and Environmental Services, in consultation with the Chairman of the Housing and Environmental Services Committee and the Chairman of the Housing Sub-Committee, be given delegated authority to agree to a Commuted Sum being negotiated as part of a Planning Agreement in lieu of "on site" provision, in whole or in part.

*Policy Decision.


Volume 26 Minute 759

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