§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they define "affordable" in "affordable housing". [HL1736]
§ Lord WhittyFor the purposes of planning policy, affordable housing is defined in Circular 6/98 as "low cost market and subsidised housing (irrespective of tenure, ownership—whether exclusive or shared—or financial arrangements) that are available to people who cannot afford to rent or buy houses generally available on the open market".
§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What impact the recent revision of planning policy guidance has on the provision of affordable housing in rural areas. [HL1737]
§ Lord WhittyPlanning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing (PPG3) states that a community's needs for a mix of housing types, including affordable housing, is a material planning consideration which local planning authorities should take into account. PPG3 reaffirms that affordable housing may be provided on suitable sites in accordance with criteria set out in Circular 6/98 which address the specific circumstances of small rural settlements. This general approach may be augmented by a rural "exception" policy to enable provision of affordable housing on sites that would not normally be released for development. Housing provided on such sites should be retained in perpetuity to meet local needs.