Threat to affordable homes plan
THE Government are planning reforms to the planning system that will have detrimental effects to the delivery of affordable homes and local democracy here in Cheltenham.
The new proposals undermine the role of local planning authorities. Decisions will be rushed through by reducing scrutiny and consultation with communities. They plan to increase the current small-sites threshold of 10 dwellings to build affordable homes up to 40 or 50. This will be devastating for people trying to get onto the property ladder. Most new developments across Cheltenham are less than 50 dwellings. None of these would be affordable under Government proposals.
In the past seven years, 616 affordable homes were built in Cheltenham. Imposing a 50-dwelling threshold will result in a 40% reduction (130 less) affordable homes in the next four years. This will also create huge disruption to our resilient, mixed and balanced communities that embrace diverse life experiences and support our most vulnerable. Raising the threshold is worryingly inconsistent with the public sector equality duty, the Government, will, in effect; reinforce division and stigma against affordable housing renters.
The current system is regulated which means development is not permitted without permission. However in the proposed Zone system, everything is permitted unless predefined rules restrict development.
All land and neighbourhoods across Cheltenham will be designated into Zones as areas for either growth, renewal or protected (AONB, green belt, conservation areas, open countryside etc). Coupled with the demand to significantly increase development, Cheltenham and neighbouring boroughs will be faced with the dilemma to build on protected green space or possibly even worse, our AONB. I oppose these changes because I want more affordable housing in Cheltenham and I support our local proposals to spend £100m for housing for young people and families.
We would all be better off if the Government took a proactive approach to delivering the housing we need. We must safeguard Cheltenham’s affordable housing delivery for the future.