Decision details

Proposed designation of 'Rural area' for Herefordshire under the Housing Act 1985

Decision Maker: Cabinet member finance, corporate services and planning

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To seek approval to apply to the Secretary of State in order to designate the rural parishes of Herefordshire as ‘rural’ under Section 157 of the Housing Act 1985.

This will enable the Council the flexibility to develop affordable housing policy thresholds on sites less than 10 units in rural areas as part of the emerging Local Plan 2021-2024

Decision:

That:

a) an application under section 157 of the Housing Act 1985 be made to the Secretary of State to designate as ‘rural’ each of the qualifying parishes within the County of

Herefordshire as listed in Appendix 3 to the report.

Alternative options considered:

1. If an application to designate a rural area is not made to the Secretary of State then future affordable housing planning policy will be subject to the restriction outlined within para 64 of the National Planning Policy Framework and para 023 of the National Planning Practice Guidance.These indicate that in areas not designated as rural or outside of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, affordable housing contributions should not be sought on sites under 10 units or if the site has an area of less than 0.5 hectares. The current threshold with Policy H1 of the Core Strategy would remain.

 

Wards Affected: (All Wards);

Consultees

Register Social Landlords - meeting on 6 September 2022

Contact: Samantha Banks, Neighbourhood Planning Service Manager Email: sbanks@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432261576.

Publication date: 10/11/2022

Date of decision: 28/10/2022

Effective from: 04/11/2022

Accompanying Documents: