In this chapter

• Introduction to development management policy
• Housing
  • Policy H/AH: Affordable housing
  • Policy H/RS: Affordable housing regeneration schemes
  • Policy H/RES: Rural exception sites
  • Policy H/EC: Affordable housing requirements within older person and specialist housing (including Extra Care)
  • Policy H/SH: Specialist housing and homes for older people design
  • Policy H/AS: Accessible homes and residential space standards
  • Policy H/HM: Housing mix
  • Policy H/BtR: Build to rent developments
  • Policy H/CL: Co-living schemes
  • Policy H/PBSA: Purpose built student accommodation
  • Policy H/SBCHB: Self-build and custom housebuilding
  • Policy H/GT: Gypsies, travellers and travelling show people
  • Policy H/M: Moorings
• Climate change
• Nature and ecosystem services
• Green Belt
• Jobs and economy
• Healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities
• Heritage and design
• Sustainable transport
• Pollution, contamination and safety
• Minerals and waste
• Waste
• Infrastructure

Policy H/HM: Housing mix

About this page

How this part of the Local Plan Options Document works

These Development Management policy option pages contain the following sections:

Policy background

• Relevant national policy or regulations
• National or regional trends
• Local situation and needs/li>
• How we have dealt with this issue in the past
• The thinking behind the policy

Policy options for the new Local Plan

We may suggest a variety of approaches:

• Keeping existing policy as it is
• Making small changes
• Replacing the policy with something that is substantially different
• Identifying factors or events which may affect this policy in the future

Policy option analysis

• A list of the advantages and disadvantages that we have identified for each of the policy options we are presenting.

More on this topic

Read the Housing topic paper and Local Housing Need Assessment (LHNA) for in-depth focus about this topic, and the evidence which informs our policy. Visit our library of Local Plan Options supporting documents to learn more. 

Explore the policy

Select a section below to read more.

Policy background

9.70 Paragraph 63 of the NPPF (December 2023) requires local authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community and reflect the results of this assessment in their planning policies. The NPPF also sets out that as part of achieving sustainable development a sufficient range of homes should be provided to meet the needs of present and future generations.

9.71 Consultation on the B&NES Local Plan 2022-2042 Launch Document (October 2022) provided feedback from a range of stakeholders who highlighted the need to ensure that housing mix meets the needs of their local communities, including young people, young families, single residents, keyworkers, families and an ageing population.

9.72 Policy CP9: Affordable Housing and Policy CP10: Housing Mix of the B&NES Local Plan provides policy requirements as relates to housing mix within affordable housing and market housing. Whilst the mix of affordable housing units is delivered to reflect current evidence base (housing needs assessment and housing needs register) and in consultation with the council to ensure that the housing delivered meets needs, there are issues that within market housing, particularly on smaller sites, some housing mixes are driven more by commercial considerations than local need.

9.73 It will be important that housing mix within developments reflect the needs of local communities. Rural Exception site policy highlights that the need for affordable housing within a rural settlement will be determined through a Rural Housing Needs Survey based on robust methodology and housing need within the settlement as evidenced through the Housing (Homesearch) Register. The Survey will also consider the proposed housing mix required within the community.

9.74 Options as relates to proposed housing mix policy are set out below.

Policy options for the new Local Plan

Option A

Take forward policy in line with that currently set out in Policies CP9 and CP10 of the Development Plan.

Advantages of Option A

Current policy.

Disadvantages of Option A

Policy lacks clarity particularly as relates to housing mix requirements within market housing.

Option B

Take forward policy in line with that currently set out in Policies CP9 and CP10 of the Development Plan. Further to highlight that housing mix on the application site should meet the needs of different household types and sizes within local communities as demonstrated by evidence either through a Local Housing Needs Survey or the LHNA.

Advantages of Option B

Provides clarity on housing mix required in affordable and market housing in line with an up-to-date evidence base.

Disadvantages of Option B

Viability considerations.