700 new affordable homes by 2011 » Housing » 24dash.com

Bolton Council has unveiled a three-year action plan today to create 700 new affordable homes by 2011.

The plan was drawn up following a survey carried out by the council in 2006 of 3,200 households, which found that growing numbers of people cannot afford to either privately rent or buy a home, due to rising property prices and a growing population. Property prices in Bolton rose by 120 per cent between 2001 and 2006 and the survey found that 73 per cent of newly forming households cannot afford to buy a home, whilst 44 per cent cannot afford to privately rent.

The plan details the actions that need to be taken over the next three years to provide more affordable housing and improve access to housing for those that have been priced out of the market. It aims to meet the needs of those living in the borough by providing affordable homes of a high quality, and also helping to sustain, regenerate and build balanced communities.

One key action in the plan is for the council to update its planning policy to secure approximately 35 per cent of affordable housing on residential developments of 15 units or more.

It also recommends enhancing provision for older and vulnerable people. Manor Court, the town’s first combined private and social sector ‘extra care’ housing for older people is planned to be completed by 2009 providing 36 new apartments.

Officers will also explore options for setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to maximise the number of new, affordable homes. The SPV would be a partnership between the council, Bolton at Home, developers and housing associations to provide new homes, including shared ownership and social housing.

To cut down on the number of empty and unused homes in the borough, the plan supports the use of Empty Dwelling Management Orders, when appropriate, to bring properties back into use when the owners are unwilling or unable to do so.

A further recommendation is for the council to consider providing land at below market value for affordable housing developments.

Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration Councillor Akhtar Zaman said:

“The demand for affordable housing in Bolton is outstripping supply at a considerable rate. Over the last two years we had more than 10,700 expressions of interest for only 2485 homes.

“Failure to increase the supply of new affordable housing would have a negative impact on future economic growth in Bolton with low paid workers unable to buy or rent housing, and restricted choice and access for groups such as the elderly or disabled.

“This action plan provides the template for a future housing market in Bolton that both responds to change and creates access to housing for all groups within the community.

“However, when it comes to solving the problem by increasing supply, there is often local resistance to house building. Bearing this in mind, it is essential that schemes are well designed, that the housing is flexible and responsive to the changing needs of society. Ensuring this will help local people to recognise the positive benefits that new housing can bring.”