Comments are invited on a draft document which aims to provide a clearer understanding of the way in which Huntingdonshire District Council will negotiate with developers to secure affordable housing. Planning policies require developers of housing sites to ensure that a proportion of their development brings forward affordable housing and this is an important way of providing this type of housing for local people.

A draft supplementary planning document, “Developer Contributions Towards Affordable Housing,” aims to clarify how much affordable housing will be required within schemes for housing being provided on the open market.

 This is the second draft for consultation -- the previous consultation took place during September and October 2006. This second draft takes account of the comments received first time around as well as more recent Government guidance.

It reflects existing planning policies and goes into more detailed guidance to help both developers and providers of affordable housing.

A pressing need for affordable housing in Huntingdonshire was identified in housing needs surveys undertaken for the council, and pointed to the greatest need being for social rented homes.

Councillor Peter Bucknell, executive councillor for planning strategy said “This latest document includes a number of revisions to the first draft we consulted upon. We very much want to hear from all those who are concerned with developments in the area and from those involved in providing housing so that we can take their views into account before we adopt it as a supplementary planning  document.”

The consultation period runs from Friday 15 June to Friday 27 July when the document will be available on the council’s website, using the link on the right.  The document can also be viewed at Huntingdonshire District Council, Pathfinder House, St Mary’s Street, Huntingdon and at libraries in the district.