§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the London Borough of Wandsworth on its policy of providing affordable housing within the borough. [44116]
§ Mr. RaynsfordMinisters have had no discussions with the London Borough of Wandsworth about its policy of providing affordable housing within the borough. However, as part of the Housing Investment Programme, the Government Office for London, in conjunction with the Housing Corporation, regularly discuss with the authority its housing strategy and policy for assisting the supply of affordable housing.
The Government's policy on planning and affordable housing is set out in the revised PPG3: Housing and circular 6/98, which replaces circular 13/96. This policy advocates a needs-based, plan-led approach to securing affordable housing in new private housing proposals. This requires that planning authorities carry out rigorous and up-to-date assessments of need for affordable housing in their boroughs, as a basis for preparing their planned policies. Therefore, where there is evidence of need for affordable housing, as is the case in all London authorities, including Wandsworth, we would expect the authority to seek the inclusion of affordable housing in all new housing proposals on suitable sites.