North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

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Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 40: Should the AAP require 40% of housing to be affordable, including a mix of affordable housing tenures, subject to viability?

Representation ID: 33642

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: U+I Group PLC

Agent: Carter Jonas

Representation Summary:

There is a chronic shortfall of affordable housing in South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City, and the residential growth aspirations of NEC could make a significant contribution in reducing housing shortfall. It is also important to ensure that there are a range of homes of different sizes and tenures to achieve mixed and balanced communities. However, it is also important to ensure that the policy is sufficiently flexible to address viability challenges, and takes a pragmatic approach when recognising how different types of housing are provided and thereafter managed and maintained. Consideration must also be given to exploring other means of making housing more widely accessible, such as through PRS for instance.

Support

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 41: Should an element of the affordable housing provision be targeted at essential local workers?

Representation ID: 33643

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: U+I Group PLC

Agent: Carter Jonas

Representation Summary:

We generally support this suggestion, but a more detailed understanding of housing need and demand in the area, and indeed an understanding of what key employers in the area require, should be undertaking before developing an AAP-specific affordable housing policy.

Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 42: Should the AAP require a proportion of development to provide custom build opportunities?

Representation ID: 33644

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: U+I Group PLC

Agent: Carter Jonas

Representation Summary:

We generally support this suggestion, but again a greater understanding of demand, need and viability is required. Consideration should be given to examples where successful custom-build housing has been delivered, such as Marmalade Lane, Cambridge's first co-housing community made up of 42 custom build homes.

Support

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 43: Should the AAP allow a proportion of purpose built HMOs and include policy controls on the clustering of HMOs?

Representation ID: 33645

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: U+I Group PLC

Agent: Carter Jonas

Representation Summary:

We support the suggestion of creating more shared living and co-living housing opportunities, as these can help improve variety and access to more affordable, good quality accommodation. This type of housing typically incorporates shared services and facilities and can benefit both younger and older aged groups. However, again a greater understanding of demand, need and viability is required.

Support

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 44: Should the AAP include PRS as a potential housing option as part of a wider housing mix across the North East Cambridge area?

Representation ID: 33646

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: U+I Group PLC

Agent: Carter Jonas

Representation Summary:

We generally support this suggestion, as it typically lends itself to earlier delivery, it can be part of an affordable housing mix, and may suit the needs of the adjoining employment base. Similar to HMO's, PRS development needs to be well-managed to integrate successfully. Again a greater understanding of demand, need and viability is required.

Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 45: if PRS is to be supported, what specific policy requirements should we consider putting in place to manage its provision and to ensure it contributes towards creating a mixed and sustaina

Representation ID: 33647

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: U+I Group PLC

Agent: Carter Jonas

Representation Summary:

We would suggest that this needs to be considered in greater detail, including need and demand, management of facilities, services, and amenities should be well defined and required.

Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 46: Should PRS provide an affordable housing contribution?

Representation ID: 33648

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: U+I Group PLC

Agent: Carter Jonas

Representation Summary:

Subject to viability, policy requirements will need to reflect the distinct economics of this tenure. In most cases (as in London) this is acknowledging that a form of Discounted Market Rent (capped at 80% of Open Market Rents) is most applicable, as this can be managed by a non-Registered Provider and therefore enables tenure blind blocks to be delivered by PRS operators.

Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 47: What 'clawback' mechanisms should be included to secure the value of the affordable housing to meet local needs if the homes are converted to another tenure?

Representation ID: 33649

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: U+I Group PLC

Agent: Carter Jonas

Representation Summary:

Typically a profit sharing mechanism up to an agreed cap (cap to be reflective of the affordable housing contribution possible for open market sale units - i.e. the value difference between a private for sale scheme at 40% and a PRS scheme at 30%)

Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 48: What would be a suitable period to require the retention of private rented homes in that tenure and what compensation mechanisms are needed if such homes are sold into a different tenure

Representation ID: 33650

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: U+I Group PLC

Agent: Carter Jonas

Representation Summary:

We would suggest a period of 15 years with clawback as outlined in Questions 46 and 47. This period is proposed in the London Plan and is generally accepted by institutional investors.

Comment

North East Cambridge Area Action Plan Issues and Options 2019

Question 49: What type of management strategy is necessary to ensure high standards of ongoing management of PRS premises is achieved?

Representation ID: 33651

Received: 25/03/2019

Respondent: U+I Group PLC

Agent: Carter Jonas

Representation Summary:

We consider that this should be agreed with each operator, and should be brief and relevant to planning matters. This could ensure all prospective tenants are offered the option of a three year tenancy.

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