Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the Council’s approach to a housing supply “Buffer” in the light of advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework

The Board consider a report on the Council’s approach to a housing supply ‘Buffer’ in the light of advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). 

The NPPF advised that a five percent buffer should be applied to the requirement to identify five years worth of specific deliverable housing sites.  It was stated that the buffer was “to ensure choice and competition in the market for land”.  The Framework also indicated that were there had been “a record of persistent under delivery of housing” the buffer should be increased to twenty percent.

In Cheshire East, the housing market had traditionally been prosperous and housing completions have matched or outstripped development plan targets.  The current recession had changed this picture with underperformance in the past few years.  This current down turn was not considered to be a record of ‘persistent under delivery’ but rather a reflection of pervading national trends.  It was therefore proposed that a buffer of fiver percent be applied to the housing supply in the Borough.

RESOLVED:

That the Council apply a five percent buffer to its housing supply figure and that this figure be reviewed at least annually to take account of changes in circumstances.