Affordable housing development

Affordable housing requirements

The council recognises the importance of providing high quality, well designed affordable housing for its residents. Part of the role of Housing Strategy is the provision of new affordable housing to meet identified need, which requires working in partnership with registered providers, developers, land owners and agents and other stakeholders.

For all new housing developments of 10 dwellings or 0.25 hectare or more in urban areas, or 3 dwellings or more in rural areas the minimum affordable housing requirement is 40%.

In summary, of the 40% requirement, the council will seek the provision of 80% rented (50% social rented, 30% affordable rented) and 20% shared ownership, with priority provision of 2 and 3 bedroom houses and some 4 beds.

Developers are encouraged to seek informal advice on the council's requirements from Housing Strategy or Planning Officers (see below) before submitting an application for planning consent. Full guidance on the requirements for the provision of affordable housing can be found in the supplementary planning document and the guidance for developers.

The Warwickshire Local Investment Plan (1.3MB, PDF) details the Housing and Regeneration investment framework over the next 3-5 year period as well as providing some indicators on longer term strategic investment covering 15 years.

New affordable housing

New affordable housing is delivered by our partner Registered Providers (formerly known as Housing Associations).

In November 2011, Warwick District Council entered into a joint venture with Waterloo Housing Group - W² to deliver new affordable housing across the district on council owned land.

Our other partner Registered Providers are Bromford Housing, Jephson Housing Association, Orbit Housing and Warwickshire Rural Housing Association.

All available affordable housing is allocated by the Homechoice Allocation Scheme. New developments currently in progress are:

Leamington Spa

Site address	No.	Size/type	Tenure	Registered provider	Est. completion
Park Road (former North Leamington School site)	58 dwellings in total 23 affordable	5x2 bed apartments 8x2 bed houses 5x3 bed houses 3x3 bed houses 2x2 bed houses	Affordable rent Shared ownership	Waterloo Housing	April 2013

Warwick

Site address	No.	Size/type	Tenure	Registered provider	Est. completion
All Saints Road	42 - Extra Care Housing	2 bed apartments	21 x affordable rent 21 x shared ownership	Housing 21	TBC Properties will be allocated via Homechoice and allocation panel to assess care needs as well as housing need
Queens Square	6	6x3 bed houses	Social rent	Orbit	April 2013

Rural affordable housing

Small scale affordable housing can be provided within rural areas in line with Local Plan Policy RAP 4, which stipulates permission will be granted for affordable housing where there is a demonstrated need by way of a housing needs survey.

Warwickshire Rural Community Council (WRCC) works with parishes that wish to undertake housing needs surveys. They will also assist in site identification if a need is identified. Once a suitable site has been found one of the partner Registered Providers will then work to design an acceptable scheme and take forward to delivery. New rural affordable housing is allocated through Homechoice but applicants also have to demonstrate a local connection to the relevant parish.