At Huntingdonshire we are working on a new Local Plan. We are working with our housing colleagues in considering our new affordable housing policy. They have asked me to see if I can find out what approach other councils are taking in respect of new affordable housing in light of the market downturn and impact on viability, NPPF, changes to HCA grant, affordable rent, etc. It would be very helpful if you could let me know what your policy position is for new section 106 agreements, particularly with regard to: 1. The percentage of affordable housing that your authority strives to achieve in new section 106 negotiations and whether your policy position differs for different size sites 2. The tenure split (social rent / affordable rent / shared ownership / etc ) your Council aims to achieve 3. Where sites are deemed unviable to proceed, what evidence base you use and what steps you take in order to come up with a development that is viable (particularly whether you use HCA / external consultants / in-house expertise to renegotiate % and tenures) 4. Whether you have any innovative ways of delivering affordable housing in a grant free way I would also add to this that any references to support for your approach in evidence would be useful. Thanks
