Market Housing
5.7 For all of the sites allocated under this Policy, local need should be identified by undertaking a Local Housing Needs Survey in the settlement which the development is proposed.
If the Council does not have an up-to-date Housing Needs Survey (within the last 5 years) for the settlement which the development is proposed, the Developer should undertake this survey. The scope of this Survey should be agreed in advance with the Strategic Housing Officer at the Council, and the Town or Parish Council (where relevant).
5.8 The number and type of market homes proposed should match the need demonstrated in the survey.
5.9 The Housing Needs Survey should be accompanied by other evidence to support the proposals. This could include:
- Local Estate Agents - evidence of demand outstripping need. Inflated prices as a consequence of this compared to neighbouring comparable areas.
- Local anecdotal evidence - letters from locals saying for example grown up children are struggling to find property in the locality.
- SHMA - The Strategic Housing Market Assessment - a detailed study and assessment of the housing market, of peoples housing needs within our Borough based on statistical evidence. It also provides our Objectively Assessed Housing Need.
- Census Information - wider statistical data for an area, taken from the Census. Examples of information could be population and household projections and house price data.
- Working with local communities and Parish Councils (where applicable) to work up any development proposals.