Christchurch and East Dorset Affordable Housing Development Plan Document (DPD)

Front Cover - Christchurch & East Dorset Affordable Housing DPD Issues & Options

Affordability of housing is one of the most important planning issues in South East Dorset. Housing development is limited by the need to protect the high quality environment of the area. House prices currently exceed average incomes by almost 6 times, and delivery of affordable forms of housing is considered a critical aim of future planning policy.

Both adopted Local Development Schemes for Christchurch and East Dorset state that the Councils will prepare specific Development Plan Documents to set out policy for the provision of affordable housing. However, it has now been decided to incorporate all affordable housing policies within the Core Strategy.

Core Strategy policies will deal with issues such as the appropriate level of affordable housing to be required within new developments, the threshold for seeking developer contributions, appropriate use of contributions, housing density, housing type, design and tenure.

Issues and options consultation 25 March - 6 May 2008 (now completed)

A formal six week issues and options consultation on the Affordable Housing DPD was completed on the 6 May 2008. Comments received through the consultation will now be considered by the councils during production of a Preferred Options document. An exact publication date for this document is not yet known.

The Affordable Housing Issues & Options Discussion Paper discussed issues regarding social rented and intermediate housing. The paper asked for views on a number of possible options which the councils may implement in the future to address these issues.

Further consultation

As it has been decided to incorporate affordable housing policies within the Core Strategy rather than produce a separate DPD, the next stage of policy production is anticipated to take place in early 2010 as part of the Core Strategy 'preferred options' consultation.

Keeping you informed

It is easy to keep up to date with what is going on in terms of the Christchurch and East Dorset Local Development Frameworks. Both Councils maintain an LDF contact database which allows us to inform residents and stakeholders of consultations on any document which might interest them. To ensure we have your details, and that you don't miss out on events and consultations on the LDF, simply contact us on the address, telephone or e-mail below. Alternatively, join our mailing list by completing the 'LDF Interest Reply Form' provided on the right side of this page.