§ Helen SouthworthTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will take action to ensure that housing designated as affordable housing when planning consent is given is(a) affordable in relation to the market in the planning authority area rather than solely in relation to the specific site land values and (b) retained within the affordable housing sector for a reasonable period. [93005]
§ Mr. McNultyCircular 06/98 "Planning and Affordable Housing" advises that local planning authorities should define in their local plans what they regard as affordable housing, based on up-to-date surveys and other data of local need. The circular explains that definitions should be framed to endure for the life of the plan, for instance, through references to the level of local incomes and their relationship to house prices or rents, rather than to a particular price or rent.
Circular 06/98 also provides guidance on the securing and controlling of the occupancy of such housing by, for example, the involvement of a registered social landlord or through the use of appropriate planning conditions 619W or obligations. The Government are looking at circular 06/98 and whether it needs to be revised. An announcement will be made shortly.