There was recently coverage in the local domain regarding the affordable housing development firm, Bournemouth Development Company, which is co-owned by Poole’s neighbouring authority, Bournemouth Council. Bournemouth Development Company did not build any affordable homes in 2017.
This news comes as house prices in Bournemouth have risen by 11.7% in the last year, the highest in the country second only to Cheltenham.
The lack of delivery of affordable homes, is not just limited to Bournemouth and as we recently reported, Poole itself has had trouble in developing enough affordable homes. At Sopers Lane, a planning application for 138 homes includes no provision for any affordable homes, this is despite the Councils adopted policies of 40% affordable homes, subject to viability.
With the likelihood of the proposed Dorset Councils merger the failure to deliver enough affordable homes in Bournemouth will also be felt in Poole. Affordable homes are an essential element of the housing mix if we are to have a sustainable housing market for the upcoming generation of aspiring homeowners.
Whilst some schemes have significant costs that prohibit the provision of affordable homes and infrastructure, the development of greenfield sites, such as Canford Park, can deliver an abundance of affordable homes and facilities as there is not the same significant cost burden as on previously developed sites. Green Field sites therefore are an essential element of the solution to solving our housing crisis.