§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will reduce the number of units or hectares in a housing development above which local authorities can require an element of social housing to be provided in the development. [32335]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Government consulted on proposed revisions to Circular 13/96: Planning and Affordable Housing in July last year, including one to lower the thresholds above which Local Authorities may require an element of affordable housing to be provided in a housing development. We proposed to lower the thresholds from 40 dwellings or 1.5 hectares normally and 25 dwellings or 1 hectare in Inner London and small rural settlements, to 25 dwellings or 1 hectare and 15 dwellings or 0.5 of a hectare. The Government will shortly be issuing a revised Circular on planning and affordable housing.