Part (v)

While it is acknowledged that there is a high level of need for affordable housing within the rural parts of the district, the 40% requirement of schemes of 5 dwellings or more (or the financial equivalent of 40% affordable housing on sites of 5 dwellings or less) could render open market housing development as being unviable. This is of significance, as the district has a rural character with only 3 principal towns (Bexhill, Battle and Rye) and therefore housing development in rural settlements makes a significant contribution to overall housing supply in the District.

While part of the policy enables an applicant to demonstrate viability in relation to the provision of affordable housing, no clarification is provided as to the level or nature of such justification to satisfy the Council in this respect.

It is also unclear how the Council would manage the financial contribution (part (iv)(b) of the Policy) or how this would be directed towards the provision of affordable housing on other sites that might be specifically allocated for affordable housing, as there is no cross-reference or link to draft Policy LHN4 (Sites for wholly or substantially affordable housing).