Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
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Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
H/BR: Build to rent homes
Representation ID: 59514
Received: 11/12/2021
Respondent: Pocket Living
Agent: Quod
The policy objective to create mixed and balanced communities is supported. This strategic policy should not however set arbitrary restrictions on minimum or maximum proportion of homes which can be Build to Rent within individual schemes.
The amount of Build to Rent housing which is suitable for a scheme or site should be determined having regard to a range of factors including local housing need, the nature of the site and the existing composition of housing locally. Supporting the delivery of Build to Rent in appropriate locations is consistent with the overall aim of the Councils housing strategy (2019) evidence base which aims to provide wide and varied choice to meet needs of wide range of households. Failure to support Build to Rent will reduce overall delivery of good quality rental homes (of which there has been limited amount in Cambridge).
The policy objective to create mixed and balanced communities is supported. This strategic policy should not however set arbitrary restrictions on minimum or maximum proportion of homes which can be Build to Rent within individual schemes.
The amount of Build to Rent housing which is suitable for a scheme or site should be determined having regard to a range of factors including local housing need, the nature of the site and the existing composition of housing locally. It is not appropriate or necessary to set arbitrary limits. This may frustrate the delivery of much needed housing in locations where it is appropriate. The need to support housing delivery from a diverse range of developers is critical as highlighted by the Letwin Review (2018). Supporting the delivery of Build to Rent in appropriate locations is consistent with the overall aim of the Councils housing strategy (2019) evidence base which aims to provide wide and varied choice to meet needs of wide range of households. Failure to support Build to Rent will reduce overall delivery of good quality rental homes (of which there has been limited amount in Cambridge).
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
H/BR: Build to rent homes
Representation ID: 59515
Received: 11/12/2021
Respondent: Pocket Living
Agent: Quod
The policy requirement for Build to Rent developments to provide 20% of the homes as affordable private rent is supported. The policy should however be clear that this assumes a 20% discount to market rent.
The proposed 20% target is in line with national planning policy. National policy is however clear that the 20% target assumes 80% of market rent. It also confirms that where a greater discount is proposed this will need to be balanced against the quantum.
The policy requirement for Build to Rent developments to provide 20% of the homes as affordable private rent is supported. The policy should however be clear that this assumes a 20% discount to market rent.
The proposed 20% target is in line with national planning policy. National policy is however clear that the 20% target assumes 80% of market rent (NPPG Paragraph: 002 Reference ID: 60-002-20180913). It also confirms that where a greater discount is proposed this will need to be balanced against the quantum.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
H/BR: Build to rent homes
Representation ID: 59517
Received: 11/12/2021
Respondent: Pocket Living
Agent: Quod
The policy requirement for the affordable homes to be distributed in a set way is unnecessary.
The affordable housing in a Build to Rent scheme is tenure blind (indistinguishable from the private) and is managed by the same operator. There is therefore no need to prescribe how it is distributed provided all tenants have access to the same on-site services and amenities.
The policy requirement for the affordable homes to be distributed in a set way is unnecessary.
The affordable housing in a Build to Rent scheme is tenure blind (indistinguishable from the private) and is managed by the same operator. There is therefore no need to prescribe how it is distributed provided all tenants have access to the same on-site services and amenities.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options
H/MO: Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
Representation ID: 59519
Received: 11/12/2021
Respondent: Pocket Living
Agent: Quod
The policy requirement which ensures new HMO’s are provided in suitable locations with appropriate facilities is supported. This policy should however provide support for the delivery of purpose-built self-contained housing for single person households.
There is a significant and growing unmet need for housing for young single person households. Whilst delivering more HMO’s would provide somewhere for these households to live in the short term, requiring more unrelated households to share is not an appropriate long term solution. This has recently been highlighted by the COVID19 pandemic which illustrated those living in HMO’s has on average just 9 square meters of private space to live and work from (LSE 2020). Furthermore, without purpose-built self-contained alternatives the number of HMO’s required to meet the needs of existing sharers presently living in unregulated/ unsuitable housing would be significant. This would require high concentrations of HMO’s and/or loss of existing family homes. Delivering purpose-built housing for single person households would reduce the need for HMO’s.
The policy requirement which ensures new HMO’s are provided in suitable locations with appropriate facilities is supported. This policy should however provide support for the delivery of purpose-built self-contained housing for single person households.
There is a significant and growing unmet need for housing for young single person households. Whilst delivering more HMO’s would provide somewhere for these households to live in the short term, requiring more unrelated households to share is not an appropriate long term solution. This has recently been highlighted by the COVID19 pandemic which illustrated those living in HMO’s has on average just 9 square meters of private space to live and work from (LSE 2020). Furthermore, without purpose-built self-contained alternatives the number of HMO’s required to meet the needs of existing sharers presently living in unregulated/ unsuitable housing would be significant. This would require high concentrations of HMO’s and/or loss of existing family homes. Delivering purpose-built housing for single person households would reduce the need for HMO’s.
