Object

Representation ID: 66228

Received: 24/06/2014

Respondent: Crest Strategic Projects

Agent: d2planning

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? No

Policy DS6 is unsound because it is not based on the most up to date evidence and the housing requirement should be increased.

The Joint SHMA indicates that the annual housing needs for the District is between 660 houses per annum to 772 houses per annum. A mid range figure has been arrived at albeit it is unclear what justification exists for this figure.

The Council has provided no reasoned justification for selecting 718 dwellings per annum, especially as its housing requirement is considerably higher than this figure i.e. up to 900 dwellings per annum.
An increase in the overall housing provision would assist in meeting the high level of affordable housing need identified in the report. G L Hearn consultants recommend the provision of 268 dwellings per annum in supporting the stronger delivery of affordable housing.

The SHMA also does not identify un-met need in other housing market areas.

It is vitally important to consider inter relationships between neighbouring authorities and HMAs when formulating housing and development policie, in particular the housing needs of Coventry identified in the joint SHMA and that of Birmingham City Council's needs.