Density Policy and Affordable Housing Mix Requirements

Policy HOU4 outlines a range of density bands based on different settlement/character areas. These broad bands are to be used as a guide to inform proposed developments, with proposals outside the bands being considered on their merits, with reference to local character, site characteristics and constraints, environmental quality and residential amenity. Taking account of the various factors involved in determining the affordable housing requirements of a scheme, including mix, type and tenure, can have resultant impacts on overall development density, as can any KSRs. Whilst the density bands seek to take into account local variations by using upper and lower limits, there may be occasions where meeting the requirements of Policy HOU5 could result in a scheme density outside of the parameters set in Policy HOU4. In such cases, it will be important to ensure that an appropriate balance is struck between site location, appropriate density and the mix of housing, including affordable, required to meet identified need.