This policy should include flexibility on unit mix where the large majority (75%+) of housing is proposed as affordable housing.
Encouraging the delivery of schemes in which the large majority of homes (75%+) are affordable homes is important for increasing and accelerating the delivery of new affordable homes and meeting unmet local housing need. Requiring these schemes to provide prescribed unit mix may make them less viable/ attractive for Registered Providers and SME developers of affordable housing such as Pocket. The need to support SME developers to widen housing choice is noted in the Council’s Housing Strategy (2019) evidence base (page 21). The Council’s evidence base illustrates there is significant un-met need for all unit sizes in Greater Cambridge. Allowing some schemes greater flexibility to focus on a particular unit sizes in order to encourage their delivery would therefore make an important contribution to meeting local needs. Attempting to require every scheme to meet every type of housing need (regardless of the nature of the site, proposal or developer) is likely to result in a reduction in housing delivery and fewer needs being met.