In response to Q11

This policy will need to be compliant with the draft NPPF (July 2024), particularly with regard to the emphasis on Social Rent homes (NPPF paragraphs 63 and 64) and the need for a minimum proportion of Social Rent homes required.

However, setting a target is not enough. The Council will be aware that the development industry is already not building the houses it has planning permission to build. In Kent alone, there are some 86,262 houses either with planning permission or identified within five-year supply statements ready to be built, yet currently the industry is only delivering 8,624 new houses a year. Of these, only 13.1% are affordable houses under the current definition, reducing to 8.6% which are genuinely affordable houses managed by Registered Providers.

Targets do not build homes. How will the Council ensure that affordable homes get built, without delivery delays (to market housing)?

The percentage affordable housing should be set at one figure, as a target. In the event that this is not viable on a site by site case basis evidence should be sought as to how a 30% provision would impact viability. Only then should 10% provision be allowed in lower value areas.