No
Draft Local Plan Review
Representation ID: 1223
Received: 13/02/2017
Respondent: Mrs Judith Thomas
Recognises need for affordable housing in Borough, but policy should clarify how it will be enforced as experience in Balsall Common suggests too easy for developers to remove provision as not commercially attractive, affordable housing should be located close to employment opportunities to maximize affordability, and provision in Balsall Common inconsistent with current poor public transport. No reference to new bungalows for older persons as important incentive for downsizing to encourage more efficient use of existing housing stock.
I recognize the need for affordable home provision in the Borough. The policy should clarify how it will be enforced as based on recent experience in my locality, it appears all to easy for developers to remove affordable home provision at a later stage. Affordable home provision in an affluent area such as Solihull will never be a commercially attractive proposition for commercial builders. In addition such properties should be built in close proximity to areas of employment opportunity to maximize affordability. The aim to build affordable houses in Balsall Common is inconsistent with current poor public transport provision.