On 11 September 2019, Full Council adopted the Local Plan which sets the blueprint for development of the borough until 2028. The creation of mixed and balanced communities is an essential element of this Plan, as it is only by reducing inequality will each community be allowed to realise its potential. The provision of high quality truly affordable homes is a necessity if this ambition is to begin to be addressed.

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) build upon and provide more detailed advice or guidance on the policies in our Development Plan including the Local Plan and the London Plan. Having listened to residents and analysed income and rent levels in the borough, this SPD questions the use of the term “affordable” and suggests three alternatives for consultation. It also sets out a change in the mix of affordable housing products we require from residential developments alongside emphasising the Council's commitment to maximise the provision of affordable housing.

The Council is consulting on the draft SPD for six weeks, starting from 11th February 2020 to 11:59PM on 24th March 2020. The Council will consider all representations received before adopting the final version of the SPD.

The consultation document and an on-line response form (or a form in MS Word if you prefer responding by email) can be found on the links below. You can also read the evidence used in the writing of the SPD as well as the Equality Impact Assessment and the documents associated with the scoping of the Strategic Environment Assessment.

Please be as precise as you can with you comments and where possible refer to the relevant paragraph number.

You can respond to a short survey which can be accessed from this link. This asks if the term "affordable housing" remains appropriate, or whether a new term is needed to reflect homes which are truly affordable to our residents.