Have your say on our Draft Interim Affordable Housing planning document

We're consulting on our Draft Interim Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). You can have your say any time between now and midnight on Monday 6 January 2025.

To view the document, find out more and have your say, visit the Let's Talk Dacorum website.

This SPD will replace our current supplementary guidance on affordable housing, which supports the Core Strategy from 2013. It is separate from the policies currently being consulted on for the Dacorum Local Plan (2026-2041).

The draft SPD reflects recent updates in Government guidance on affordable housing and provides additional clarification to support the application of our 2013 policies. We are also seeking to ensure that affordable rental options are genuinely accessible to households in need of such housing.

The term ‘Interim’ in the title indicates that this SPD will remain active only until we adopt our new Local Plan. At that point, an updated Affordable Housing SPD will be introduced to supplement the affordable housing policies of the new Local Plan.

During this consultation, we acknowledge proposed Government changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Any relevant new guidance issued prior to the adoption of this SPD will be incorporated as necessary.

Following the consultation period, we will review feedback and make any necessary adjustments to the document before adoption. Once adopted, the SPD will serve as a material consideration in determining planning applications. We will continue to follow any new Government guidance that may impact aspects of the SPD.

Cllr Adrian England, Leader of the Council and our Portfolio Holder for Place, said: “By preparing this SPD, we aim to update our guidance to ensure that qualifying new developments in Dacorum provide affordable housing that meets local needs. We encourage all stakeholders, especially those involved in the housing industry, to share their views on these proposals.”

To participate in our other consultations, please visit Let's Talk Dacorum.