Ryedale boost on affordable homes (From Gazette & Herald)

Ryedale boost on affordable homes

A NEW report has provided a major boost in the push to increase the number of affordable homes for local people in Ryedale.

A planning inspector, working on behalf of the Government, has supported the key elements of Ryedale District Council's proposed changes to its affordable housing policy.

The changed policy requires developers to provide a significantly increased number of affordable homes as part of new housing developments and also reduces the size of development proposals at which this requirement is applied.

Although the inspector has recommended a number of small changes, he strongly supported the principal elements of the council's approach.

Despite the council proposing a policy that went beyond national guidance on affordable housing, the inspector said that the "exceptional" local housing constraints justified this approach.

The report concludes that the gap between soaring local house prices and the average income levels in Ryedale warrant seeking 35 per cent of new housing to be affordable units.

Also, the limited supply of housing sites mean that it is legitimate to seek affordable housing on all sites of 15 dwellings or 0.5 hectares in Malton, Norton and Pickering, and on sites of five dwellings or 0.2 hectares in other towns and villages.

"I am very pleased with this outcome," said Jill Thompson, forward planning officer for the council.

"We have moved up several gears in terms of delivering affordable housing through new housing permissions and it was critical that the inspector supported our 35 per cent targets and our lowered site thresholds. This result reflects the strong partnership working between all those concerned with affordable housing in Ryedale, and the desire of Ryedale councillors to act quickly and effectively on this key issue."

The inspector's report will be available for inspection at Ryedale House, Malton, and the district council area offices from Friday. It can also be viewed on the council's website at www.ryedale.gov.uk

Updated: 10:14 Tuesday, June 01, 2004