Campaigners have called on the government to strengthen the definition of affordable housing in planning reform. In a select committee hearing on the national planning policy framework, Roger Harding, head of policy, research and public affairs at Shelter, said the definition of what constitutes affordable housing should be more clearly set out in planning documents. ‘There’s a risk that local authorities might get to the situation where they’re not building affordable housing – or housing that’s not affordable for people who live there.’ He also said that councils will need more guidance to produce housing needs assessments to build the number of homes that are needed: ‘There should be national guidance and national support on what detail local authorities should use on their local plans. There are a lot of benefits for local authorities to get together to [produce housing plans]. The affordable housing needs of London can’t be solved in London alone.’ Read more on Inside Housing.
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