Have your say on the future of affordable housing in Pendle

Pendle Council is inviting comments on the findings of a study that will influence how much affordable housing it can ask developers to provide.

The Burnley and Pendle Affordable Housing Site Viability Study (Update Report) builds on an earlier study, which considered 16 potential housing sites across the two boroughs.

Now the study has been updated to take account of changing economic circumstances and to show what effect this may have had on viability. 

The study found that sites in rural areas are considered to be viable to develop with, on average, up to 20% affordable housing. It also shows that the viability of sites in urban areas is improving.

The update also includes a new method for calculating how much affordable housing can be delivered depending on the prevailing economic circumstances.

Now Pendle Council is consulting local people and other interested parties on the findings of the study.

The six week public consultation runs from 9am on Friday 1st October to 5pm on Monday 15th November 2010.

Councillor Chris Tennant, who is responsible for Planning Policy in Pendle, said:

"By consulting with Pendle residents, we're giving them the opportunity to influence the policy direction of the Council in terms of the level of affordable housing that we will require in new developments.

"House builders, estate agents, housing associations, landlords and planning consultants may also wish to comment on the study.

"The findings of the study, and this consultation, will be used to set the affordable housing targets in new planning policies within our Core Strategy.

"This is the key document in the Pendle Local Development Framework."

The study can be viewed online at www.pendle.gov.uk/ahsvs or in libraries and Council Shops throughout Pendle.

There is a range of ways in which you can comment on the Affordable Housing Site Viability Study Update.

 You can email us at ldf@pendle.gov.uk
 You can fax us on (01282) 661390
 Or you can comment by letter to: Planning Policy and Conservation, Pendle Borough Council, Town Hall, Market Street, Nelson, BB9 7 LG.

For more information about the Burnley & Pendle Affordable Housing Site Viability Study Update, call the Planning Policy Team on 01282 661723 or email ldf@pendle.gov.uk.