Harden Neighbourhood Development Plan - Regulation 16 Consultation

2. HOUSING

2.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0.1 By 2030 Harden will receive around 100 new houses as part of the housing allocation in Bradford Council's adopted Core Strategy.

2.0.2 It is important that new housing in Harden not only meets the present needs of the community but is also designed and built to address the future challenges we face.

2.1 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IDENTIFIED THAT:

• The design of new housing was the 3rd most important issue for the Neighbourhood Plan to address.
• The type and size of new housing was the 4th most important issue for the Neighbourhood Plan to address.
• The most popular types and sizes of housing suggested by members of the community are: housing that is suitable for older people, environmentally friendly housing, houses aimed at first time buyers, and medium sized family housing.
• At the drop-in event there were several suggestions that more smaller properties are required for small families or older people wishing to downsize.

2.2 KEY OBJECTIVES

• Ensure new housing is inclusive, accessible and designed to meet the needs of an ageing population, and the changing needs of residents
• Secure a mix of house types and sizes to meet local needs
• Build low-carbon, energy efficient and sustainable homes
• Develop well designed homes and neighbourhoods that respond to and reinforce the distinctive character of Harden, including enhancements to existing properties

2.2.1 This policy seeks to ensure new homes in Harden are energy efficient and include the provision of renewable energy technologies. This can contribute to lower energy consumption and therefore lower fuel costs for occupants.

2.2.2 Harden has declared a climate emergency and the project group feel it is necessary to include a policy which signals the intention of the village to help address this by supporting renewable energy provision where appropriate.

2.2.3 At initial engagement 58 people felt the Plan should cover design of new housing and 38 people felt Harden needed more environmentally friendly homes.

This policy seeks to achieve aims & objectives 1, 2, 3.

This policy aligns with CBMDC adopted core strategy 2017 policy HO9.

2.2.4 An independent Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) has been produced for the village which identified the need to secure a higher proportion of smaller properties within the plan period. Whilst the HNA has stated that the Neighbourhood Plan should seek to secure 28% 1 bed, 22% 2 bed and 50% 3 bed properties the Neighbourhood Plan has reduced these figures to provide more flexibility to applicants whilst still securing smaller properties.

2.2.5 This policy seeks to ensure new developments provide a mix of house types and sizes to meet the needs of the local community.

This policy seeks to achieve aims & objectives 2.

This policy aligns with CBMDC adopted core strategy 2017 policy HO8.

2.2.6 This policy seeks to ensure that new housing developments are designed so that they respond to and reinforce the character of Harden and address key local issues.

2.2.7 At initial engagement the design of new housing was the 3rd most popular response when asked what issues the Neighbourhood Plan should cover.

2.2.8 The Harden Design Code covers a range of issues and sets acceptable design parameters for new development. The document should be read in conjunction with Bradford Council supplementary planning documents Homes and Neighbourhoods: A guide to designing in Bradford.

This policy seeks to achieve aims & objectives 3.

This policy aligns with CBMDC adopted core strategy 2017 policy DS1.

2.2.9 This policy recognises that more people are choosing or being asked to work from home, especially self employed people, older people, and those in rural areas (Financial Times 2014). This trend is likely to continue in the future and it is felt that appropriate space to facilitate homeworking is required.

2.2.10 Space to facilitate homeworking does not necessarily mean the provision of a dedicated office space or spare/additional room within the property. It could mean ensuring there is enough space in habitable rooms to include a desk, chair and storage. This has been highlighted as a key issue during the Covid-19 pandemic as many people have been working from home in inadequate working conditions.

2.2.11 As working practices continue to change more people are likely to be working from home and ensuring that homeworking can be comfortably accommodated in properties is essential. Yorkshire has the smallest average room sizes in England in new developments, and England has the smallest average room sizes in Europe in new developments (RIBA Case for Space 2011). It is essential that rooms are large enough to accommodate the necessary furnishing and artefacts to not only support general living but also homeworking.

This policy seeks to achieve aims & objectives 2, 9.

This policy aligns with CBMDC adopted core strategy 2017 policies EC4, TR1.

2.2.12 Building for a Healthy Life (BHL) is a set of 12 development principles that contribute to creating well-designed homes and neighbourhoods. These principles are scored on a traffic light system. Schemes that score 9 or more green out of 12 will qualify for Building for a Healthy Life accreditation. Contact the local Design Network partner (Design Yorkshire, managed by Integreat Plus) to request a BHL review (fees apply).

2.2.13 Accessible and Adaptable Dwellings Standards recognises that homes are not always suitable or adaptable for the changing needs of residents throughout their life. This incorporates design criteria that can be applied universally to new homes. Whilst there can be costs associated with building to these standards, the costs can be reduced by designing these criteria early in the design process.

2.2.14 Harden has a higher proportion of residents aged over 65 when compared to the district and to England and this is set to increase within the plan period. Lifetime Homes principles and design guidance are included in the Harden Design Code.

This policy seeks to achieve aims & objectives 2, 3.

This policy aligns with CBMDC adopted core strategy 2017 policy HO9.

2.2.15 Advanced, high quality and reliable communications infrastructure is essential for economic growth and social well-being.

2.2.16 There is an increase in people choosing or being asked to work from home and enhanced communications infrastructure can support this. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of this both nationally and locally.

This policy seeks to achieve aims & objectives 2, 9, 10.

This policy aligns with CBMDC adopted core strategy 2017 policy PN1.