Issue - meetings

Minute 317 refers

RESOLVED – that the Strategic Housing Market Assessment Update 2012 (March 2013): London Commuter Belt East Sub-Region, be supported as part of the evidence base to inform and support the preparation of the District Plan, and for housing strategy purposes.

(see also Minute 414)

Minute 11 refers

The Executive considered and approved the recommendations of the District Planning Executive Panel, at its meeting held on 3 October 2013, on the Strategic Housing Market Assessment Update 2012 (March 2013): London Commuter Belt East Sub-Region.

RECOMMENDED – that the Strategic Housing Market Assessment Update 2012 (March 2013): London Commuter Belt East Sub-Region, be supported as part of the evidence base to inform and support the preparation of the District Plan, and for housing strategy purposes.

(see also Minute 325)

The Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport submitted a report setting out the key findings of the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) Update 2012 (March 2013) technical study for the London Commuter Belt East Sub-Region, prepared by Opinion Research Services (ORS).  He also sought approval to the study forming part of the evidence base to inform and support the preparation of the District Plan, and for housing strategy purposes.

The Panel was reminded that the purpose of the SHMA was to assess current and future housing demand and need across the plan area.  It also needed to consider future demographic trends and identify the accommodation requirements of specific groups.  Importantly, the SHMA would also be used to inform decisions relating to affordable housing, tenure mix and the type and mix of houses that should be built in East Herts.

In 2008 East Herts Council had joined with Brentwood, Broxbourne, Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford Councils, to form the London Commuter Belt East/M11 Sub Region partnership, and had appointed ORS to undertake a SHMA for the sub-region.  The final SHMA report had been published in January 2010 and agreed by the Council in February 2010.  As the original 2008 SHMA had covered the period 2007 - 2026, it was in need of updating to cover the plan periods of local authority partners, and changes in demographic and economic information and circumstances.

Various Members commented on the Council’s affordable housing targets and the issue of viability for developers.

The Panel supported the recommendation as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that the Strategic Housing Market Assessment Update 2012 (March 2013): London Commuter Belt East Sub-Region, be supported as part of the evidence base to inform and support the preparation of the District Plan, and for housing strategy purposes.