Policy H/BR: Build to Rent Homes

9.71.  National planning policy requires the size, type and tenure of homes needed for different groups in the community, including those who rent their homes, to be assessed and that the results of that assessment be reflected in planning policies. Build to Rent homes can respond to a need, by providing quality homes for those who wish to rent, which adds to the flexibility of the local housing market to respond to demand. There is evidence of local need for this type of housing, and therefore the Local Plan needs to be clear how any proposals for these types of development will be considered.

9.72.  Proposals should not result in a harmful concentration of Build to Rent units and instead should contribute towards creating mixed and inclusive neighbourhoods. Concentrations of privately rented homes, including Build to Rent homes, may limit residents’ long term commitment to or integration within the wider community. Additionally, large concentrations of privately rented homes, including Build to Rent homes, can result in the homes within a local area being focussed on specific groups within the community, rather than a mix of groups, therefore limiting the ability to create mixed and inclusive neighbourhoods that meet a range of needs. Any limits on the number of Build to Rent homes within a development would still need to enable the resulting number of Build to Rent homes to be sufficient to be delivered and managed viably.

9.73.  Assessment of the design quality and effect on local character of the proposed development will be considered against other policies in the Local Plan.

9.74.  Build to Rent schemes are expected to contribute towards the delivery of affordable housing, and the provision of 40% Affordable Private Rent units will be sought from these schemes as set out in Policy H/AH. National planning guidance states that 20% is generally a suitable benchmark for the level of Affordable Private Rent homes to be provided in any Build to Rent scheme, but that local authorities can set a different requirement if justified by evidence. Viability evidence shows that the strong Greater Cambridge housing market will support 40% Affordable Private Rent in Build to Rent schemes, and therefore this is the requirement set out in Policy H/AH for affordable housing on Build to Rent schemes. However, it is important that the provision of affordable units within these developments is also balanced with the level of rent discount (relative to local market rents) needed to make these units affordable.

9.75.  Addressing affordable housing need in Greater Cambridge is not just about securing more affordable housing. It is also about securing a level of rent discount that makes the housing affordable to people that cannot afford market housing rents. Equally, where schemes face viability challenges due to site specific issues the Councils will apply a flexible approach in order to achieve an appropriate balance between the percentage of Affordable Private Rent homes which can be achieved and the potential rental affordability of those homes.

9.76.  Proposals should consider including Build to Rent homes as part of a development including a mix of types, tenures and sizes of homes, in order to secure the provision of a range of affordable housing tenures to meet identified need and provide mixed and balanced communities.

9.77.  Policy H/HM provides a starting point for considering the appropriate housing mix of Build to Rent developments. However, it is acknowledged that Build to Rent is a relatively new type of housing and the profile of occupants may differ from other forms of housing. Where proposals are supported by compelling evidence an alternative housing mix will be acceptable.

9.78.  Management of Build to Rent developments by a single management operator, with an appropriate level of on-site daily management, will minimise any community risks arising from the development, and ensure that schemes are well-integrated into the community. A Management Plan showing how the whole development will be managed and maintained must be produced and submitted with the planning application, and the agreed Management Plan should be secured through a Section 106 agreement. The Management Plan should include detailed information on long term management and maintenance arrangements, and outline the measures that will be in place to manage any issues arising that could impact on amenity in the surrounding area.

For further guidance on how to submit comments, please see the Representation Guidance Note.

All comments must be received by 25 September 2026 at 5pm.