Context

4.69 Community led housing can qualify as a recognised affordable housing sector. It can provide 100% affordable housing schemes to rent, now including the Government’s new First Homes discounted market housing product. With the particular constraints on housing delivery and affordability issues identified in the Portishead Housing Needs Assessment 2021, this form of affordable housing can supplement affordable housing delivered through developer contributions, where land becomes available.

4.70 ‘Community development’ must be delivered by an appropriately established community development organisation such as a community land trust. Community led housing and development can provide additional affordable housing choices and meet specific community needs.

4.71 North Somerset Core Strategy Policy CS16 (Affordable Housing) sets the in principle expectations for its delivery, but does not set a ceiling on the percentage to be delivered within each housing development. The emerging North Somerset policy DP46 (Homes for all) provides in principle support for community led affordable housing schemes. Portishead Town Council supports this approach and will give in principle support to proposals for community led housing on previously developed land within Portishead.

4.72 The Town Council will continue to work with North Somerset Council, landowners and community development organisations to support opportunities to deliver community led housing on previously used land, underused buildings and upper floors during the Neighbourhood Plan period.

Relevant Objective

O8 To protect Portishead’s stock of one and two bedroom and accessible homes, and ensure that any future housing that comes forward to meet government targets contains a diverse range of tenures, forms and sizes to meet the identified housing needs of the community, protects and enhances Portishead’s distinct character and maintains resident amenity and highway safety.

Local Policy Context

• CS16: Affordable housing
• DM34: Housing type and mix
• Affordable Housing SPD

POLICY PWH9 - COMMUNITY LED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Proposals for community led affordable housing and facilities including proposals that include discounted market affordable housing will be supported when they:

• Conform with North Somerset Council Core Strategy policy CS16 (Affordable Housing) and The North Somerset Affordable Housing SPD 2013 (or any subsequent adopted revision);
• Conserve the character of Portishead’s landscape setting;
• Protect or enhance the local character
• Do not harm the amenity of the neighbouring residents.