What will this policy do?
This policy will set out the criteria to be used when considering proposals for new community-led housing developments.
Proposed policy direction
Recognise that community-led housing developments will be brought forward within
The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.
, and set out that any proposals for these uses will be considered against the policies applicable to residential developments. Rural exception sites for affordable housing (see H/ES above) and self and custom build homes (see H/CB) are examples of developments that can be brought forward as community-led housing developments.Why is this policy needed?
Community-led housing is where local people and community groups work together to design and deliver new housing, and there are a range of delivery models. There are a number of community-led housing groups operating or seeking new homes in
The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.
. Some Councils allow community-led housing proposals to be considered as exceptions to planning policy, and therefore the needs to be clear how any proposals for community-led housing in will be considered.What consultation have we done on this issue?
Responses received to the First Conversation highlighted the need to create balanced and integrated communities by providing a mix of housing types, sizes, tenures, ownership and management that reflect the findings of the Councils evidence of housing needs of specific groups. This included support for co-housing and co-operative opportunities, as part of making housing more widely accessible.
What alternatives did we consider?
1. To include a specific criteria based policy for community- led housing - Not considered a reasonable alternative as community-led housing is a way of delivering housing developments, and therefore the considerations for these housing developments are no different to other residential developments.
2. To allow the development of community-led housing generally as an exception to policy - This is not the preferred approach as likely to hamper the delivery of rural exception sites for affordable housing.
Supporting evidence studies and topic papers
- : Topic paper 7: Homes
Existing policies in adopted 2018 Local Plans
None
Tell us what you think
Our consultation for this phase is now closed.