Decision details

The Director of Economic Development and Planning submitted a report informing members that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had announced a new affordable housing tenure, known as ‘First Homes’.

The report noted that the First Homes scheme:

·         Will be required on all new housing developments and that the Council had an opportunity to be part of a pilot scheme for delivery in 2021-22.

·         Had a delivery, approval process and eligibility criteria that mirrored that of the Council’s, therefore the Council were well placed to deliver the scheme.

The report also noted that in the first year of any First Homes pilot, developers would be able to bid for grant funding, enabling them to deliver First Home units in addition to other affordable units they were building.

Members were reminded that in the Ribble Valley discounted sale units had been delivered since 1990, when a discount of 15% had been applied and that over the years the discount had increased to 25% and to its current level of 40% in rural areas and 30% in the market towns of Clitheroe, Longridge and Whalley. 

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.    Noted the new tenure First Homes will become part of the standard affordable housing offer on all new build sites and that the affordable housing policy will be amended to reflect this policy change.

2.    Supported opportunities across the Borough to deliver additional First Homes affordable units as part of a pilot scheme.