Housing policy technical guidance
Why is the Housing Policy Technical Guidance SPD required?
The adopted Central Bedfordshire Local Plan includes a range of housing-related policies which seek to ensure the type, quality and quantity of housing being delivered through the planning process aligns with the identified demands. The Local Plan policies are high level and additional guidance is needed for some of the policies to help support their implementation. We adopted this SPD on 1 August 2023; it is a material consideration in determining planning applications. All development proposals will be required to demonstrate that they have taken it into consideration.
What does the Housing Policy Technical Guidance SPD include?
The Housing Policy Technical Guidance SPD (PDF) provides further detail on how housing policies within the Local Plan should be implemented, including details of what we are expecting from developers and how applications will be assessed.
The housing policies covered by the SPD include:
- Policy H1 – Housing Mix
- Policy H2 – Housing Standards (accessible and adaptable homes)
- Policy H3 – Housing for Older People
- Policy H4 – Affordable Housing (level of provision, tenure split, design standards and other key areas of guidance in relation to affordable housing)
- Policy H5 – Rural Exception Sites
- Policy H6 – Self and Custom Build Housing
The document also includes guidance on sustainability, first homes and community-led housing.
Adoption documents:
Housing Policy Technical Guidance SPD (PDF)