This item was considered at the meeting held on 14 July 2011.

This item was considered at the meeting held on 14 July 2011.

To answer questions asked by members of the public. The constitution requires that questions are received three working days before the meeting (deadline 4.00pm on Monday, 11 July 2011).

Question 1

The following question was received from Mr Lorne Henry

Is the present Forest of Dean District Council strategy on affordable housing stagnating the availability of future housing and flat development, not only to those in need but also to the general public, by unaffordable percentage donations being placed on small developers over 5 units?

Response from the Cabinet Member for Efficient Council and Planning Policy, Councillor Brian Robinson 

Thank you for your question.

Planning Policy Statement 3 issued by the Government requires local authorities to set out in Local Development Documents, the likely overall proportions of households that require market or affordable housing. Findings from the latest housing needs survey indicates that there is a need for 50% affordable housing to be provided on mixed tenure developments. Forest of Dean District Council policy for affordable housing on mixed developments seeks a 40% affordable housing provision.

It is recognised and understood that a residential or mixed development needs to be financially viable if it is to proceed. Where applicants make the case that 40% affordable housing is not deliverable individual site viability assessments will be undertaken to assess the applicant’s position. If the Council is satisfied that the financial appraisal confirms that the affordable housing requirement renders the scheme unviable, the Council can consider:

• retaining the target percentage but adjusting the tenure split or unit mix; or
• a lower percentage of affordable housing but retaining the tenure split and unit mix; or
• supporting the introduction of grant funding to achieve the target contribution, tenure split or mix via a cascade; or

a combination of these options, such that the scheme viability is restored.

With the Council having a flexible system to determine the affordable housing provision on an individual site basis whilst enabling the scheme to remain viable, the Council considers that the policy for affordable housing provision on mixed developments is fair and transparent. There is no evidence that the policy is stagnating future housing delivery.

Mr Henry was not present at the meeting, so the council would send him the response to his question.

Question 2

The following question was received from Mr Roger Drury, Woodend, Parkend Walk, Coalway, Coleford, Glos GL16 7JR

As the majority of Councillors expressed their support for the HOOF Campaign in their election promises how is the Council going to fulfil its promises and work with local people to make sure that the Forest remains as it is.

Response from the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Martin Quaile

I should like to thank Mr Drury for his question - and especially for the timing of it as on the agenda for this evening’s meeting there are three papers that are relevant.  Later on this council will be discussing both the Core Strategy and the Cinderford Area Action plan.  These documents have been extensively consulted upon and they set out our vision for sensitive and sustainable development in the District.  If they are approved, following examination in public, they will form  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6