Q-H2-1: What is the best way to significantly increase the supply of affordable housing across South Warwickshire?
Hill Residential considers that there is an opportunity to increase the overall housing requirement for the plan period to help deliver a higher amount of affordable housing. Table 8.45 of the HEDNA states that WDC and SDC have a combined affordable annual need of 1,386 dwellings per year, this is a significant need and would justify a higher overall housing requirement to ensure that sufficient affordable homes are being provided throughout the plan period. Further, Warwick continues to suffer from poor housing affordability with a ratio of house price to earnings of 10.73, placing it in an area of very high demand as defined by the Letwin Review. Its affordability ratio has worsened by 42.6% since 2013, with recent delivery of 27.1%4 affordable housing against a 40% policy requirement. It is also relevant to note that constraints on the release of land for residential development, and in turn the provision of houses on that land (for sale or as affordable provision), can lead to increased house prices in an area. The Plan should therefore be focused on creating a policy environment that does not place undue constraints on sites that are allocated, thereby maintaining a supply that will in turn address issues of affordability. Affordable provision should be spread throughout any new settlement, with opportunities to deliver custom and self-build housing, and innovative methods of delivery such as community-led development. Q-H2.2: Whilst a single affordable housing policy for the SWLP should be considered as the most straightforward and universal approach, as set out at Option H2-2a, any policy requirement must allow for suitable viability testing on a site-by-site basis.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
4.78 Chapter 8 of the HEDNA includes an analysis of affordable housing need in Coventry & Warwickshire, which is claimed to follow the methodology set out in the PPG12 . Table 10 of IO document summarises the assessment of need for the SW authorities. 4.79 It is recognised in the published evidence base that affordable housing need is ‘high’ relative to the overall housing need across the C&WHMA (paragraph 4.4 of the HEDNA). RPS agrees. Table 8.14 of the HEDNA illustrates this point when comparing affordable need (rented need only) to the trendbased projections for each authority, including Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick. 4.80 The figures show that the rented affordable need as a proportion of the overall need for housing in the SW authorities is between 48-72% (or 60% across the two combined). Across the C&WHMA as a whole, the proportion is 78%. When adding in the affordable home ownership need, the proportions increase from 60 to 82% for the SW area, and from 78 to 91% for the C&WHMA. It is clear that the proposed policy targets will only deliver a fraction of the homes needed even if the policy requirements are met in full (which is unlikely). Affordable housing need therefore represents a significant proportion of overall need which needs to be addressed in the SWLP, and across the HMA as a whole, when considering future housing targets for the area. This is particularly the case in Warwick but is nonetheless still an important factor in Stratford also. 4.81 In addition, the scale of affordable need as a proportion of total need shown above is, to a large extent, due to the need emanating from Coventry, which is 96%. The HEDNA (at paragraph 8.72) recognises that, in setting overall housing targets, the viability of development and the availability of funding are realistically constraints on the level of provision which can be achieved. If Coventry is to make any significant contribution towards meeting its own housing needs, of all tenures, then additional allocations will be needed. This will require a considerable focus on delivering more housing on previously developed sites within the city’s boundaries and the push for higher policy targets. However, the focus on brownfield land and higher policy standards will inevitably raise concerns with the viability and deliverability of lower value housing. This is evident because Coventry has failed to deliver its affordable housing policy targets since 2011, achieving 2,562 affordable homes against a policy target of 3,828 (2011-2022)13, or 232 homes per annum. 4.82 On this basis, in devising an overall housing requirement in the SWLP, if the SW authorities are serious about addressing affordable housing delivery, then consideration should be given to how the delivery of affordable can be maximised across the C&WHMA in order to deliver sufficient affordable homes to meet local needs, in line with national policy 14. The best way to increase the supply of affordable housing across South Warwickshire is therefore simply to allocate more land in sustainable locations within the area. This is best achieved through the development of mixed-tenure private sector-led development in areas where viability is less of a problem, notably in South Warwickshire, relative to metropolitan areas such as Coventry. 13 Coventry City Authority Monitoring Report 2021/22 Published 21st November 2022, Figure 9 14 NPPF 2021, paragraph 20
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
No answer given
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
Affordable housing is a significant issue for the SWLP. It is firstly important to have in mind that delivering housing to meet identified needs will assist in keeping affordability ratios in check, since demand will meet need and will avoid housing prices rising due to elasticity of supply issues. Even in circumstances where housing need is being identified and met, there is an acute need for affordable housing in South Warwickshire. The public sector is unable to deal with this issue, it is therefore for the private sector to deliver necessary affordable housing provision. Exception type housing will deliver a proportion of affordable provision, this however will be very low. The most effective way of delivering affordable housing is via allocations and windfall development over the plan period, by way of an appropriate – viability tested – threshold and percentage delivery requirement. The SWLP should maximise the delivery of market housing delivery, so as to correspondingly maximise the opportunity to deliver affordable housing. This is singularly the only way in which meaningful quantities of affordable housing will come forward in the plan period.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
Gladman consider the best way to significantly increase the supply of affordable housing in South Warwickshire is to allocate over and above the housing requirement so that affordable housing can be delivered on these sites. This is the approach taken in East Riding of Yorkshire, whereby the Council has opted to increase their housing requirement to ensure that affordable housing needs are met. Whilst this approach is yet to be examined, this is an approach the Councils could consider if it was found suitable. The Councils should also ensure that the affordable housing policy wording regarding the mix of affordable housing is not overly prescriptive. The mix of affordable housing should be determined by local need in the first instance and revised if this presents issues with viability. A suitable level of flexibility will ensure that affordable housing is delivered.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
Table 10 of the Issues and Options consultation document identifies a need for 1,386 affordable dwellings per annum to be delivered across the South Warwickshire Plan area. Table 9 identifies an overall housing need of 1,679 dwellings per annum. Assuming that a 40% affordable housing threshold is applied, as currently exists within Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick Districts, this would equate to an affordable housing provision of 672 dwellings per annum. This falls significantly below the identified affordable housing need identified. It is not considered appropriate to introduce an out of proportion affordable housing threshold as this would have a significant impact on scheme viability. Whilst a rural exceptions policy may assi st in remedying the shortfall in affordable housing need, the only way to actively resolve this issue is to build more dwellings, over and above the identified need. As such, it is recommended that the housing requirement for South Warwickshire is increased to take account of the significant affordability issue across the two Districts.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
Table 10 of the Issues and Options consultation document identifies a need for 1,386 affordable dwellings per annum to be delivered across the South Warwickshire Plan area. Table 9 identifies an overall housing need of 1,679 dwellings per annum. Assuming that a 40% affordable housing threshold is applied, as currently exists within Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick Districts, this would equate to an affordable housing provision of 672 dwellings per annum. This falls significantly below the identified affordable housing need identified. It is not considered appropriate to introduce an out of proportion affordable housing threshold as this would have a significant impact on scheme viability. Whilst a rural exceptions policy may assist in remedying the shortfall in affordable housing need, the only way to actively resolve this issue is to build more dwellings, over and above the identified need. As such, it is recommended that the housing requirement for South Warwickshire is increased to take account of the significant affordability issue across the two Districts.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
No answer given
selected
selected
selected
The plan should make best endeavours to meet all housing needs, including those of the elderly. It must also be recognized that many elderly people prefer to remain in their own home for as long as they are able to do so.
H2 – Housing Tenure (affordable housing) It is noted on page 9 of the document that median house prices in both districts are over ten times average salaries. Given it is only possible to borrow five times a salary this demonstrates the scale of the affordable housing problem in the area. The first step in ensuring an adequate supply of affordable housing is to ensure that the definition of affordable is crystal clear. The starting point for this is the definition in the NPPF which states, “Affordable housing: housing for sale or rent, for those whose needs are not met by the market…”. This is reflected in the definition in the glossary at the end of the document. What is missing at present are the calculations setting at what value or rent a house is considered affordable. This is a critical element as it affects the amount developers are prepared to pay for land. It is therefore essential that the calculations which will underpin the price of what constitutes a genuinely affordable house are established as soon as possible. This can be done regardless of which sites are selected for development.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
The problem of providing affordable homes in high land and house price areas has proved intractable nationally so that affordable and social housing numbers have declined sharply. In Henley and the surrounding villages it would have to be by discounted land price (unlikely) or public subsidy. When the SWLP announces proposed targets it must indicate the level of subsidy Homes England will allocate to areas such as the JPC.
selected
selected
selected
The comment in section H2.1 applies equally to the provision for elderly people.
The affordability gap in both Stratford and Warwick Districts is acknowledged to be substantial, with a particular need in the more rural areas. The issue of people being offered homes away from their communities is also a substantial problem, in communities where money to travel is limited. The only obvious way to boost the supply of affordable housing is to boost the supply of market housing and require affordable housing as part of proposals. There should be strong support for a dispersed pattern of development to ensure affordable housing is provided in all parts of the South Warwickshire area, including in the Green Belt. Moreover affordable housing tends to be the first element of a development to be dropped where sites are complex or have substantial infrastructure costs. This is often the case with new settlements and as such the focus of development should be at existing settlements where infrastructure costs are generally lower. Brownfield sites can have additional site clearance and contamination costs, which can reduce their ability to provide the full requirement of affordable housing and thus there is a key role for greenfield sites in meeting affordable housing needs.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
The affordability gap in both Stratford and Warwick Districts is acknowledged to be substantial, with a particular need in the more rural areas. The issue of people being offered homes away from their communities is also a substantial problem, in communities where money to travel is limited. The only obvious way to boost the supply of affordable housing is to boost the supply of market housing and require affordable housing as part of proposals. There should be strong support for a dispersed pattern of development to ensure affordable housing is provided in all parts of the South Warwickshire area, including in the Green Belt. Moreover affordable housing tends to be the first element of a development to be dropped where sites are complex or have substantial infrastructure costs. This is often the case with new settlements and as such the focus of development should be at existing settlements where infrastructure costs are generally lower. Brownfield sites can have additional site clearance and contamination costs, which can reduce their ability to provide the full requirement of affordable housing and thus there is a key role for greenfield sites in meeting affordable housing needs.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
The affordability gap in both Stratford and Warwick Districts is acknowledged to be substantial, with a particular need in the more rural areas. The issue of people being offered homes away from their communities is also a substantial problem, in communities where money to travel is limited. The only obvious way to boost the supply of affordable housing is to boost the supply of market housing and require affordable housing as part of proposals. There should be strong support for a dispersed pattern of development to ensure affordable housing is provided in all parts of the South Warwickshire area, including in the Green Belt. Moreover affordable housing tends to be the first element of a development to be dropped where sites are complex or have substantial infrastructure costs. This is often the case with new settlements and as such the focus of development should be at existing settlements where infrastructure costs are generally lower. Brownfield sites can have additional site clearance and contamination costs, which can reduce their ability to provide the full requirement of affordable housing and thus there is a key role for greenfield sites in meeting affordable housing needs.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
The affordability gap in both Stratford and Warwick Districts is acknowledged to be substantial, with a particular need in the more rural areas. The issue of people being offered homes away from their communities is also a substantial problem, in communities where money to travel is limited. The only obvious way to boost the supply of affordable housing is to boost the supply of market housing and require affordable housing as part of proposals. There should be strong support for a dispersed pattern of development to ensure affordable housing is provided in all parts of the South Warwickshire area, including in the Green Belt. Moreover affordable housing tends to be the first element of a development to be dropped where sites are complex or have substantial infrastructure costs. This is often the case with new settlements and as such the focus of development should be at existing settlements where infrastructure costs are generally lower. Brownfield sites can have additional site clearance and contamination costs, which can reduce their ability to provide the full requirement of affordable housing and thus there is a key role for greenfield sites in meeting affordable housing needs.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
Affordable Housing 46. The consultation sets out the Authorities view that the rented affordable need (per annum) are as follows: Stratford-on-Avon • Rented Affordable Need 419 • Affordable Home Ownership Need 129 • Total Affordable Need 547 Warwick • Rented Affordable Need 582 • Affordable Home Ownership Need 258 • Total Affordable Need 839 47. The Plan will need to provide certainty for developers on what affordable housing will be sought, whilst still allowing flexibility to respond to any site specific issues. It will be important for the levels of affordable housing sought are robustly tested through the viability assessment. 48. As affordable housing policy usually refers to the amount of affordable housing required being a percentage of all the housing units on a site, one way to increase the delivery of affordable housing would be to increasing the amount of housing, and the number of housing sites.
selected
selected
selected
Housing for Older People 49. The consultation sets out the Authorities view of Older Persons Need to 2032 that the rented affordable need (per annum) are as follows: Stratford-on-Avon • Housing with Care/Support 175 • Bedspace Allowance 29 • Total Need 204 Warwick • Rented Affordable Need 59 • Bedspace Allowance 13 • Total Need 73 50. The HBF is supportive of measures to increase the supply of specialist older people’s housing and supports the view of the Retirement Housing Group (RHG) that the planning system can do more to reflect the aging population. A recent RHG report may provide a useful point of reference for the Council https://retirementhousinggroup.com/how-better-use-of-the-planning-system-can-increase-provision-of-specialist-housing-for-older-people/
The affordability gap in both Stratford and Warwick Districts is acknowledged to be substantial, with a particular need in the more rural areas. The issue of people being offered homes away from their communities is also a substantial problem, in communities where money to travel is limited. The only obvious way to boost the supply of affordable housing is to boost the supply of market housing and require affordable housing as part of proposals. There should be strong support for a dispersed pattern of development to ensure affordable housing is provided in all parts of the South Warwickshire area, including in the Green Belt. Moreover affordable housing tends to be the first element of a development to be dropped where sites are complex or have substantial infrastructure costs. This is often the case with new settlements and as such the focus of development should be at existing settlements where infrastructure costs are generally lower. Brownfield sites can have additional site clearance and contamination costs, which can reduce their ability to provide the full requirement of affordable housing and thus there is a key role for greenfield sites in meeting affordable housing needs.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
The affordability gap in both Stratford and Warwick Districts is acknowledged to be substantial, with a particular need in the more rural areas. The issue of people being offered homes away from their communities is also a substantial problem, in communities where money to travel is limited. The only obvious way to boost the supply of affordable housing is to boost the supply of market housing and require affordable housing as part of proposals. There should be strong support for a dispersed pattern of development to ensure affordable housing is provided in all parts of the South Warwickshire area, including in the Green Belt. Moreover affordable housing tends to be the first element of a development to be dropped where sites are complex or have substantial infrastructure costs. This is often the case with new settlements and as such the focus of development should be at existing settlements where infrastructure costs are generally lower. Brownfield sites can have additional site clearance and contamination costs, which can reduce their ability to provide the full requirement of affordable housing and thus there is a key role for greenfield sites in meeting affordable housing needs.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
The best way to increase the supply of affordable housing is to increase the supply of viable and deliverable residential sites. The majority of affordable homes are delivered as part of housing schemes. Accordingly, the greater the level of housing to be provided across South Warwickshire the greater the prospect of delivering more affordable homes. 38. However, if the new settlement option is to be adopted than the concerns would be the viability of the scheme would inevitably squeeze the delivery of affordable homes. Similarly, the concerns about the costs of delivering housing schemes which have already been highlighted affect viability and have the potential to squeeze the delivery of affordable homes. 39. Braemar commend a specific affordable housing target based upon the two constituent authorities because each has different circumstances. However, if there is to be a single target then it may well be that a higher localised target is adopted in the ANOB given the affordability difficulties of purchasing homes in this particular area.
selected
selected
selected
Braemar recommend that specific allocations are made to meet the specialist housing needs for older people.
The affordability gap in both Stratford and Warwick Districts is acknowledged to be substantial, with a particular need in the more rural areas. The issue of people being offered homes away from their communities is also a substantial problem, in communities where money to travel is limited. The only obvious way to boost the supply of affordable housing is to boost the supply of market housing and require affordable housing as part of proposals. There should be strong support for a dispersed pattern of development to ensure affordable housing is provided in all parts of the South Warwickshire area, including in the Green Belt. Moreover affordable housing tends to be the first element of a development to be dropped where sites are complex or have substantial infrastructure costs. This is often the case with new settlements and as such the focus of development should be at existing settlements where infrastructure costs are generally lower. Brownfield sites can have additional site clearance and contamination costs, which can reduce their ability to provide the full requirement of affordable housing and thus there is a key role for greenfield sites in meeting affordable housing needs.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
The affordability gap in both Stratford and Warwick Districts is acknowledged to be substantial, with a particular need in the more rural areas. The issue of people being offered homes away from their communities is also a substantial problem, in communities where money to travel is limited. The only obvious way to boost the supply of affordable housing is to boost the supply of market housing and require affordable housing as part of proposals. There should be strong support for a dispersed pattern of development to ensure affordable housing is provided in all parts of the South Warwickshire area, including in the Green Belt. Moreover affordable housing tends to be the first element of a development to be dropped where sites are complex or have substantial infrastructure costs. This is often the case with new settlements and as such the focus of development should be at existing settlements where infrastructure costs are generally lower. Brownfield sites can have additional site clearance and contamination costs, which can reduce their ability to provide the full requirement of affordable housing and thus there is a key role for greenfield sites in meeting affordable housing needs.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
The affordability gap in both Stratford and Warwick Districts is acknowledged to be substantial, with a particular need in the more rural areas. The issue of people being offered homes away from their communities is also a substantial problem, in communities where money to travel is limited. The only obvious way to boost the supply of affordable housing is to boost the supply of market housing and require affordable housing as part of proposals. There should be strong support for a dispersed pattern of development to ensure affordable housing is provided in all parts of the South Warwickshire area, including in the Green Belt. Moreover affordable housing tends to be the first element of a development to be dropped where sites are complex or have substantial infrastructure costs. This is often the case with new settlements and as such the focus of development should be at existing settlements where infrastructure costs are generally lower. Brownfield sites can have additional site clearance and contamination costs, which can reduce their ability to provide the full requirement of affordable housing and thus there is a key role for greenfield sites in meeting affordable housing needs.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
The affordability gap in both Stratford and Warwick Districts is acknowledged to be substantial, with a particular need in the more rural areas. The issue of people being offered homes away from their communities is also a substantial problem, in communities where money to travel is limited. The only obvious way to boost the supply of affordable housing is to boost the supply of market housing and require affordable housing as part of proposals. There should be strong support for a dispersed pattern of development to ensure affordable housing is provided in all parts of the South Warwickshire area, including in the Green Belt. Moreover affordable housing tends to be the first element of a development to be dropped where sites are complex or have substantial infrastructure costs. This is often the case with new settlements and as such the focus of development should be at existing settlements where infrastructure costs are generally lower. Brownfield sites can have additional site clearance and contamination costs, which can reduce their ability to provide the full requirement of affordable housing and thus there is a key role for greenfield sites in meeting affordable housing needs.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
3.12 Table 10 shows that affordable housing need is high, particularly compared to the housing needs figures proposed. As such, a key method to ensure affordable housing delivery is to plan for a larger number of overall houses, knowing that the designated proportion will be assigned as affordable. At present, a figure of for example 40% of dwellings being affordable will not come close to meeting the identified need.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
No answer given
selected
selected
selected
The plan should make best endeavours to meet all housing needs, including those of the elderly. It must also be recognized that many elderly people prefer to remain in their own home for as long as they are able to do so.
4.9. There is an acute recognition in the Issues and Options consultation documents of an affordability problem across South Warwickshire Plan area, where those on low incomes and young people struggle to access the housing market. 4.10. Warwick District Council’s latest ‘Authority Monitoring Report’ (AMR) (for the period 2020-2021) indicates that against an annual requirement of 280 affordable dwellings since the beginning of the currently adopted Plan period in 2011 (within its own area), the Council have delivered 841 affordable dwellings (out of a total requirement for 2,800), 30% of the target. 4.11. Stratford-on-Avon’s latest AMR for the period 2021-2022 (published December 2022) identifies that in the current Core Strategy plan period of 2011-2031, 3,204 affordable dwellings have been provided out of a total 10,019 dwellings (net) built. This equates to 37% of all dwellings and is just above the Plan’s affordable housing policy requirement of 35% of all dwellings to be affordable. 4.12. Notwithstanding Stratford-on-Avon’s marginal reported over delivery, the HEDNA considered the affordability issue across the District further. It identifies at Table 8.45 that the estimated annual need for affordable housing (rented and affordable home ownership) across Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick is 1,386 dwellings per annum. 4.13. Whilst it is recognised that these are ‘net’ figures and not ‘newly arising need’, PPG paragraph 2a-024 makes provision to encourage local authorities to consider increasing planned housing numbers where this can help to meet the identified affordable need: “The total affordable housing need can then be considered in the context of its likely delivery as a proportion of mixed market and affordable housing developments, given the probably percentage of affordable housing to be delivered by market housing led developments. An increase in the total housing figures included in the strategic plan may need to be considered where it could help deliver the required number of affordable homes.” 4.14. The Issues and Options consultation recognises that the area has an acute affordability problem and it is suggested that to address this, the Plan could consider providing housing above the ‘minimum’ need, to boost supply, and in turn deliver additional affordable housing.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
Issue H2: Providing the right tenure and type of homes Hermes’ view is that a single affordable housing requirement across the whole South Warwickshire area is the most appropriate approach to take (Option H2-2a) as this would provide most certainty for developers, rather than applying local variations to reflect value/affordable housing demand.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
4.9. There is an acute recognition in the Issues and Options consultation documents of an affordability problem across South Warwickshire Plan area, where those on low incomes and young people struggle to access the housing market. 4.10. Warwick District Council’s latest ‘Authority Monitoring Report’ (AMR) (for the period 2020-2021) indicates that against an annual requirement of 280 affordable dwellings since the beginning of the currently adopted Plan period in 2011 (within its own area), the Council have delivered 841 affordable dwellings (out of a total requirement for 2,800), 30% of the target. 4.11. Stratford-on-Avon’s latest AMR for the period 2021-2022 (published December 2022) identifies that in the current Core Strategy plan period of 2011-2031, 3,204 affordable dwellings have been provided out of a total 10,019 dwellings (net) built. This equates to 37% of all dwellings and is just above the Plan’s affordable housing policy requirement of 35% of all dwellings to be affordable. 4.12. Notwithstanding Stratford-on-Avon’s marginal reported over delivery, the HEDNA considered the affordability issue across the District further. It identifies at Table 8.45 that the estimated annual need for affordable housing (rented and affordable home ownership) across Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick is 1,386 dwellings per annum. 4.13. Whilst it is recognised that these are ‘net’ figures and not ‘newly arising need’, PPG paragraph 2a-024 makes provision to encourage local authorities to consider increasing planned housing numbers where this can help to meet the identified affordable need: “The total affordable housing need can then be considered in the context of its likely delivery as a proportion of mixed market and affordable housing developments, given the probably percentage of affordable housing to be delivered by market housing led developments. An increase in the total housing figures included in the strategic plan may need to be considered where it could help deliver the required number of affordable homes.” 4.14. The Issues and Options consultation recognises that the area has an acute affordability problem and it is suggested that to address this, the Plan could consider providing housing above the ‘minimum’ need, to boost supply, and in turn deliver additional affordable housing.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given
South Warwickshire Local Plan should seek to meet the local requirements for affordable homes (ideally between 30-40%). This should be done in partnerships with Housing Teams to ensure key local needs are met. Affordable homes should be included on a mixed site with privately owned homes, as this reduces exclusion and encourages integration within the community. In addition, there is a need for developing more 1-bedroom accommodations and bungalow provision to meet housing needs. Currently, Warwickshire County Council Energy Efficiency Rating is similar to the England average. [energy efficiency comparison chart presented here] The Warwickshire Director of Public Health Annual Report 2022 has made several recommendations to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities in Warwickshire. The recommendations are framed around the themes of housing, food, and transport to address the causes of poor health and wellbeing. Warwickshire Public Health request consideration into the development of new affordable homes as highlighted in the DPH 2022 report: “R.2 I recommend that housing, planning and health leads work together to prevent ill health caused by poor housing and living conditions. This should include a commitment to preventing new homes from being built with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of less than C and working with private and public landlords to ensure existing homes have an EPC of C or above and are mould free.” Implementation of the recommendations will rely upon the concerted efforts of key partners across health and care and the wider determinants of health. Warwickshire’s County Council Promoting Health and Wellbeing through Spatial Planning reports that “Marmot’s recommendations also remind us of the need to reduce health inequalities and mitigation of climate change and this is achievable through the improved energy efficiency of housing across the social gradient. This should result in a reduction in fuel poverty in deprived areas and a decrease in energy related emissions, which should help tackle climate change”. https://democracy.warwickshire.gov.uk/documents/s2123/04%20Appendix%20A.pdf In summary, homes that are energy efficient and well insulated will have a positive impact on overall living conditions and the health and wellbeing of individuals whilst being kinder to the environment.
selected
selected
selected
Public Health Warwickshire encourage well designed places that are easy to navigate by foot (and for cycle). In addition, Warwickshire Public Health encourage the use of measured miles signage to encourage people to actively travel. Warwickshire County Council Promoting Health and Wellbeing Through Spatial Planning highlights that “poorly designed places that lack connections can stop many vulnerable people from leaving the home for example, due to fear of crime in public spaces, or fear of traffic and may be a barrier preventing elderly people from reaching services and community groups (Allen, 2008)”. https://democracy.warwickshire.gov.uk/documents/s2123/04%20Appendix%20A.pdf Promoting safe access for pedestrian and sustainable transport provision for older residents is encouraged and supported. The Warwickshire Count Council Spatial Planning reports that pedestrians are one of the most vulnerable residents (and the largest) in terms of both real and perceived threats to their safety and personal security; and the quality of the local environment is of importance to pedestrians, and most particularly to children and older people, especially those with a health condition or specialist needs. Access to key services Design and layout can facilitate direct, convenient, and safe walking routes to town centres, green spaces, local neighbourhoods, health centres, hospitals, libraries, local shops, services and public transport facilities. Warwickshire Public Health encourage accessibility for people living with a disability and consider the Department of Health’s Dementia Friendly design principles. Warwickshire County Council Promoting Health and Wellbeing Through Spatial Planning highlights that, although people are living longer, they are spending much of their additional time in poor health. Opportunities to develop social networks and participation in communities can act as protective factors against cognitive decline and dementia for those over 65 (Fabrigoule, 1995). Those who are social isolated are between two and five times more likely to die prematurely when compared to those with strong social ties (Marmot, 2011) Consideration is encouraged given the ageing population of South Warwickshire that is set to continue and that a wide range of specialist types of housing is provided across South Warwickshire to accommodate older people that have a disability and / or a specialist needs.
Most affordable housing is not affordable. You need to build more social housing, and also hold developers to the proportions of affordable housing they originally agree to - these commitments are often reduced for spurious reasons.
selected
selected
selected
Invest much more in care and social services for older people, including in their own homes.
4.9. There is an acute recognition in the Issues and Options consultation documents of an affordability problem across South Warwickshire Plan area, where those on low incomes and young people struggle to access the housing market. 4.10. Warwick District Council’s latest ‘Authority Monitoring Report’ (AMR) (for the period 2020-2021) indicates that against an annual requirement of 280 affordable dwellings since the beginning of the currently adopted Plan period in 2011 (within its own area), the Council have delivered 841 affordable dwellings (out of a total requirement for 2,800), 30% of the target. 4.11. Stratford-on-Avon’s latest AMR for the period 2021-2022 (published December 2022) identifies that in the current Core Strategy plan period of 2011-2031, 3,204 affordable dwellings have been provided out of a total 10,019 dwellings (net) built. This equates to 37% of all dwellings and is just above the Plan’s affordable housing policy requirement of 35% of all dwellings to be affordable. 4.12. Notwithstanding Stratford-on-Avon’s marginal reported over delivery, the HEDNA considered the affordability issue across the District further. It identifies at Table 8.45 that the estimated annual need for affordable housing (rented and affordable home ownership) across Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick is 1,386 dwellings per annum. 4.13. Whilst it is recognised that these are ‘net’ figures and not ‘newly arising need’, PPG paragraph 2a-024 makes provision to encourage local authorities to consider increasing planned housing numbers where this can help to meet the identified affordable need: “The total affordable housing need can then be considered in the context of its likely delivery as a proportion of mixed market and affordable housing developments, given the probably percentage of affordable housing to be delivered by market housing led developments. An increase in the total housing figures included in the strategic plan may need to be considered where it could help deliver the required number of affordable homes.” 4.14. The Issues and Options consultation recognises that the area has an acute affordability problem and it is suggested that to address this, the Plan could consider providing housing above the ‘minimum’ need, to boost supply, and in turn deliver additional affordable housing.
selected
selected
selected
No answer given