Cabinet approves plans shaping affordable housing
The plan for the future of affordable housing across Test Valley has been approved following a cabinet meeting last night.
Test Valley Borough Council’s portfolio holders voted to adopt the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), which advises landowners, developers and affordable housing providers on the council’s policy towards development.
Updating its previous 2008 document, the new SPD reinforces to all parties how the authority’s Local Plan policies on affordable housing will be implemented.
Work began on the document last year, with a public consultation held between August and October. Between 2016 and 2019, the authority provided 733 affordable homes, consistently exceeding its annual target.
Planning portfolio holder, councillor Nick Adams-King, said: “This is a very important step forward in helping us plan for the future. Being able to offer developers, landowners and planning agents early advice, and to have a document to point towards, is extremely useful.
“Our next Local Plan is currently being considered and this is a vital step in giving us a clearer picture for affordable housing, and the policies around it, moving forward.”
Housing and environmental health portfolio holder, councillor Phil Bundy, added: “We consider affordable housing as one of the most important roles that we carry out. Everybody in Test Valley should have access to housing and this is why we’re very proud of our record of providing affordable housing over the last few years.
“I’m grateful that the public has had their say and this has helped us to shape our plan and put forward the right priorities for the people of our borough.”
The Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document can be accessed here: https://democracy.testvalley.gov.uk/documents/s10229/Affordable%20Housing%20Strategy%202020%20-%20Annex%201.pdf