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  Thursday, March 20, 2008

Here is some information that we got from the council (“we” in the text below) relating to Planning, Housing Requirements and the Growth Point Bid

How many homes can we expect to see in Fylde Borough?

The emerging Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West will define how many dwellings will need to be built between 2003  and 2021. The current advanced draft indicates 306 dwellings pa i.e. 5,500 over the whole period. Because we have built less than we should have done 2003 – 2007, we will now have to build about 340 dwellings 2007 – 2021 to make up for the shortfall to date. We are currently waiting for the Secretary of State to publish ‘proposed modifications’ to the emerging RSS.  These were promised in Oct 2007 but have still to be published. The proposed modifications could increase the housing requirement for Fylde Borough. Until publication we will not know what the ultimate figure will be. Once the proposed modifications are published, we will have to give material weight to the emerging RSS housing figures.

What tenure do they have to be?

This is  a matter for Fylde Borough Council in its Core Strategy.  The Council has commissioned a Strategic Housing Market Assessment jointly with Blackpool and Wyre.  This will provide some guidance in terms of the mix of tenure required.

How many affordable dwellings do we need?

Two studies have made estimates of the degree of need over the next 5 years. The update of the 2002 Fordham Housing Needs Survey estimates a net annual need of 568 whilst the initial findings of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment estimates the figure to be about 600. Two points can be drawn.  Firstly the two figures are very close and thus help to verify the high level of need.  Secondly, the need is so high compared with the overall housing requirement level i.e. 340 dwellings pa that the need for affordable housing cannot be met in full. What is important is that we try to secure the highest percentage of affordable dwellings we can in private sector development schemes.

Who will determine necessary infrastructure?

This should be done by the Council and its partners in the preparation of the Core Strategy and Land Allocation Development Plan Document. This is always the most difficult bit to achieve. The Core Strategy should say what infrastructure is needed and who should provide it.

Who will have the final say on development at the Airport and at Whyndyke Farm?

These lands are referred to in the ‘Growth Bid Document’.  On the basis that they are in Fylde Borough, this Council will determine any planning applications for housing.  However, the Secretary of State has powers to call-in any planning application for her own decision.  Also, if the applications were refused by this Council, the Secretary of State or one of her Inspectors would determine any appeal.

Need for Public Consultation

All matters will be subject to significant consultation during the processes of the Core Strategy (to be completed by 2010).  The fist round of consultation on the various development options is due to take place this Spring.  The Council is trying to obtain more information on the ramifications of the Growth Point Bid and in particular whether this would mean an even higher housing requirement.

How much land is held by developers?

The Council has just commissioned a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment which should report around May 2008. This will identify the amount of land held by developers or other land which has potential for housing development and an idea of when it is likely to come forward for development.  It will indicate how much greenfield land we will need to make available for housing development.

What would the Local plan proposals map look like if we drew it today?

We are not able to do this at the moment because of the need to consider a number of issues including sustainability appraisal and flood risk issues.  The options consultation will ask people to comment on the main development options e.g  Queensway, Whyndyke, Kirkham/Wesham, Warton etc.

How does the Interim Housing Policy relate to the Core Strategy?

Because the Core Strategy and formal Land Allocation Development Plan Documents will not be in place before 2012, the Interim Housing Policy will be used in the period before this time.

Note:  The Interim Housing Policy will not make any allocations of new land. This is the job of the formal DPDs.  The IHP will set criteria for allowing planning applications for housing to come forward on sites within the existing settlement boundaries.

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