South Ayrshire Local Plan

Affordable Rented and Special Needs Housing

The Council has prepared a Local Housing Strategy, which identifies continued pressure across South Ayrshire for affordable housing, most particularly in the social rented sector, and also for those with “special needs”, such as mobility difficulties. The government, through national planning policy confirms that the planning system may make a contribution to provision of affordable housing where there is a shortfall, by addressing the issue through reviews of structure and local plans. This can include setting out policy to secure a contribution towards the supply of affordable housing from the private house building industry. The Government policy also requires local authorities to aim to address the need within the Housing Market Area.

The Local Housing Strategy and a study by Communities Scotland (June 2004); Local Housing Need and Affordability Model for Scotland – Update, together provide demonstrable evidence of housing need in South Ayrshire. PAN 74 ‘Affordable Housing’ provides guidance that in circumstances where local authorities demonstrate through a local plan that there is a role for affordable housing policies that a benchmark figure of 25% of the total number of units as affordable housing may be sought. The Council considers that the need in South Ayrshire substantiates a 25% target contribution from all new housing developments. In line with the Local Housing Strategy, the Council will aim for provision of 200 affordable rented houses every year. Given the scale of housing need and the nature of the land supply in South Ayrshire, a site size threshold of 15 units (or 0.6 hectares) is appropriate.

It is considered that development proceeded on the bases of partnership, between the mainstream housing developer and a Registered Social Landlord, assists with fluent implementation of both aspects of the housing development. Developers are, therefore, urged to seek early discussion with the Council.

Policy H13 below should be read in conjunction with Supplementary Planning Guideline “New Housing Developments and Affordable Housing: A Guideline for Developers”, which gives more detailed guidance on the implementation of the policy.

POLICY H13*

The Council will seek the provision of affordable housing on all new housing developments with a total site capacity of 15 units or more, or a site size equal to or exceeding 0.6 hectares. A target contribution of 25% of the total number of units will be sought.

NOTE 1
A Supplementary Planning Guideline ‘New Housing Developments and Affordable Housing:

A Guide to Developers’ accompanies policy H13, and all proposals shall require to comply with this guidance.

NOTE 2
Policy H13 applies to all housing developments that do not have an extant planning consent as of 11th May, 2004.

All new general needs housing, as far as possible, should be of barrier free standard. However, it is recognised that in some instances, specialist housing for people with specific housing requirements may be needed in close proximity to shops and other amenities.

POLICY H16

The Council will favourably view proposals within settlements for the provision of special needs housing within sites in close proximity to, or with easy access to local services and facilities.