Issue - meetings

Report DRR18/011

The report sought Members’ agreement to raise the existing local income thresholds for 1-3 bedroom units for intermediate housing to reflect changes (primarily in house prices) over the past three years.

The Chairman referred to the 40% increase in house prices and recognised that household income thresholds needed to be realistic.  The Chief Planner informed Members that the information on house prices had been obtained from the www.home.co.uk website. 

In response to a question from Councillor Brooks, the Chief Planner acknowledged there were variations in house prices throughout the Borough which were due, in part, to existing housing stock.  The local income thresholds identified in the report were the maximum levels.

Councillor Allen conducted a search of the website mentioned above which showed that house prices had not increased in the last three years.  Together with the lack of increase in wages, she was not convinced that the proposed increase would help considering the lack of affordable housing.

RESOLVED to recommend to the Executive that:-

(i)  the amended local upper limit intermediate housing (intermediate ownership) household income thresholds for 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units be as follows:-

  1 bedroom units  - £55,000

  2 bedroom units  - £68,800

  3 bedroom units  - £73,400

  4 bedroom units apply GLA household upper limit of £90,000 to 4 bedroom units (intermediate ownership);

(ii)  the GLA household upper limit of £60,000 applies to intermediate rent products; and

(iii)  the amended Addendum to accompany the Council’s Supplementary Planning Documents on Affordable Housing (2008) and Planning Obligations (2010) be as attached in Appendices 2 and 3 of the report.