Comprehensive Impact Assessment TemplateAssessment being undertaken

Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

Directorate: Economic, Growth and DevelopmentService: Affordable HousingName of Officer/s completing assessment:

Nicky Mannell

Date of Assessment: May 20181. Why are you doing this

CIA? – A brief explanation of the reason. Is it for: new/change in policy, procedures, strategy, function, service. (Please refer to the guidance for the definitions)

The Affordable Housing SPD provides detailed guidance on how the Local Plan Affordable Housing policies will be implemented. National Planning Policy makes provision for Local Planning Authorities to supplement the policies contained within the local Plan with SPDs which are to provide detailed guidance on specific topics or issues. The SPD is being reviewed since the previous iteration from 2014. It recognises the pressing importance of affordable housing in Cornwall, the proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and Cornwall’s changing housing demand.

The provision of high quality affordable housing is a core objective for the Council, and is enshrined within Cabinet’s ‘Priorities for Cornwall’. Principally, this is achieved through working with the development sector to secure homes through s106 obligations, but is also enabled through the Housing Service’s proactive work on identifying land and unlocking development opportunities.

Some of the key changes to the SPD include: Proposing a new fee methodology that is more costly, but follows established models of

national best practice, and can be updated/negotiated based on viability to ensure that the appropriate level of contribution is secured.

Additional detail and guidance regarding specialist housing including extra care and supported living that supports the council’s strategic aims to better inform the market in this area of development.

the delivery of self and custom build homes has been included

1

the Council’s approach to viability at outline that from the point of adoption, such matters will cease to be made confidential – essentially, viability information will be open for public scrutiny for the first time.

Members and the public have been consulted on the previous version of the SPD, which this versionis based upon. Informal consultation has started with internal departments at the council, includingcolleagues in Development Management, Environmental Health, Transport and Waste Managementand formal consultation with housing developers and landlords.Statutory public consultation will now take place and be administered by local plan team.

2. What are the aims, objectives, outcomes, purpose of the policy, service change, function that you are assessing?

The objectives of the SPD are to: Provide a framework to:

o Deliver sustainable affordable housing to meet Cornwall’s identified local need;o Ensure a wide range of housing is provided of the right type and size to meet the

needs of the local community; and Contribute to a better balance in the Cornish housing market between housing need, demand,

supply and affordability. Help those with an interest in development proposals to understand affordable housing and

how development will be required to meet its planning obligations. Help those proposing developments to make successful planning applications and deliver

developments which contribute to sustainable, mixed and vibrant communities. Provide clear and consistent supporting policy guidance to enable the practical application of

policy set out in the Cornwall Local Plan.3. Who implements or

delivers the above? State if this is undertaken by more than one team, service, and department including any external partners.

The Affordable Housing Team will use the SPD policies, in combination with national and local strategic policies, in assessing and determining the affordable housing contribution for planning applications in Cornwall.

Applicants, developers and agents will use the policies to guide them into making appropriate planning applications.

2

4. Equality and Diversity - Who will be affected by this proposal? Is the proposal likely to result in positive or negative impacts/risks? If so what are they? What plans do you have in place, or are developing, that will mitigate the likely identified negative impacts/risks? This section should include reference to the 9 protected characteristics as referenced in the Equality Act 2010.Consideration should also be given to the Cornish status – see CIA guidance for further information.

Who will be affected by this proposal?Existing and prospective residents of Cornwall will be affected by the policies as well as landowners, businesses and developers. The policies will apply equally to all those making a planning application and are applied in the public interest.

In terms of the Council’s wider Public Sector Equality Duty consideration has also been given as to whether the Policies discriminate against groups with a protected characteristic. The objectives of the SPD do not specifically discriminate against any of the protected characteristics and is consistent with seeking to promote understanding and community cohesion.

Age: There is no evidence that the SPD discriminates on the basis of age. The SPD gives greater clarity (than the current SPD) for the requirement of suitable older people’s housing and will help ensure future developments better consider the needs of older people.

Disability: There is no evidence that the proposals and its Policies would discriminate on the basis of disability.

Gender reassignment: There is no evidence that the proposals and Policies of the SPD would discriminate on the basis of gender.

Pregnancy and maternity: There is no evidence that the proposals and Policies of the SPD would discriminate on the basis of Pregnancy and maternity.

Race: By promoting housing to meet local needs, the SPD is seeking to ensure more housing occupied by local residents. In general local residents are seen as more likely to fall within the status of ‘Cornish’. The Cornish are protected as a national minority under the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities which was ratified by the Government in 1998.

Religion or belief: There is no evidence that the proposals and Policies of the SPD would discriminate on the basis of Religion or belief.

3

Sex: There is no evidence that the proposals and Policies of the SPD discriminate on the basis of sex.

Sexual orientation: There is no evidence that the proposals and Policies of the SPD discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

RAG Score : 15. Human Rights - Who

will be affected by this proposal? Is the proposal likely to result in positive or negative impacts/risks? If so what are they? What plans do you have in place, or are developing, that will mitigate the likely identified negative impacts/ risks?

Who will be affected by this proposal?There is no obligation on the Local authority to provide an individual with a home under the Human Rights act 1998.

Existing and prospective residents of Cornwall will be affected by the policies as well as businesses, landowners and developers who have an interest in Cornwall.

No negative impacts have been identified. Positive impacts include providing decent homes for local people in their communities.

RAG Score: 1

6. Rurality- Will this proposal have a positive or negative impact for those living in rural communities? If so what are they? What plans do you have in place, or are developing, that will mitigate the likely identified negative impacts/risks?

The SPD aims to provide housing to meet local need in turn supporting local services, business, education and infrastructure, which will have a positive impact on Cornwall.

No negative impacts have been identified.

RAG Score: 17. Safeguarding - Who No impacts identified.

4

will be affected by this proposal? Is the proposal likely to result in positive or negative impacts/risks? If so what are they? What plans do you have in place, or are developing, that will mitigate the likely identified negative impacts/risks?

The SPD supports the development of good quality housing to meet local need, providing a safe and secure environment. We do not hold any personal information about individuals who will eventually occupy these homes.

RAG Score: 18. Information

Management – What type of information will be required to deliver this proposal? Is the proposal likely to result in increased risks to the information? If so, what are they? What plans do you have in place, or are developing, that will mitigate the likely identified negative impacts/risks?

What type of information will be required to deliver this proposal?Affordable Housing Team will be a consultee on all planning applications that have the potential for an affordable housing provision/contribution, as they are now.

We use the council’s Information Asset Register.

The requirement to publish viability assessments mean that information previous exempt from the public domain will now be made available.

RAG Score: 19. Community

Safety/Crime and Disorder - Who will be affected by this proposal? Is the

Who will be affected by this proposal?Existing and prospective residents of Cornwall will be affected by the policies as well as landowners, businesses and developers who have an interest in the area.

What are the positive impacts/risks – if any?

5

proposal likely to result in positive or negative impacts/risks? If so what are they? What plans do you have in place, or are developing, that will mitigate the likely identified negative impacts/risks?

n/a

What are the negative impacts/risks – if any?n/a

What plans do you have in place, or are developing that will mitigate the likely identified impact/risk?The Policy Crime and Safety officer is a non-statutory consultee and Planning Officers who have the final say over planning applications, will take into account issues such as these within the overall planning application and their response.

RAG Score: 210. Environment - How will

the environment be affected by this proposal. Is the proposal likely to result in positive or negative impacts? How will these impacts be maximised or minimised. Will this project deliver towards the Council’s ambition of environmental growth?

What are the positive impacts/risks – if any?The SPD policies have been designed to supports the Council’s planning requirements to protect the environment and conserve and enhance the landscape, biodiversity, natural habitats and cultural heritage of Cornwall. The National Planning Policy Framework

What are the negative impacts/risks – if any?Development has a potential to have a negative impact on the Environment.

What plans do you have in place, or are developing that will mitigate the likely identified impact/risk?The SPD is not proposing anything outside of the National Planning Policy Framework and the Local Plan that will increase the impact of development on the environment.

RAG Score: 611. Health, Safety and

Wellbeing - Who will be affected by this proposal? Is the proposal likely to result in positive or negative

Who will be affected by this proposal?Current and future residents of Cornwall.

What are the positive impacts/risks – if any?The provision of affordable housing and infrastructure to meet local identified needs. Provision of good quality housing, of the right size, type and location to meet the local affordable housing need

6

impacts/risks arising from: Individual lifestyles, social and community influences, living, working and economic conditions, access to or quality of services or any other direct or indirect effects on health, safety and well-being? If so what are they? What plans do you have in place, or are developing, that will mitigate the likely identified negative impacts/risks?

in Cornwall. Enable local people to access housing that is where they want to live, near facilities and connections and is economic to maintain. Reduce the potential for fuel poverty by providing homes that are easy to heat.

Create a community which is sustainable; Ensure that the needs of the local and wider community are reflected within the new

development; Make the best use of the housing stock. Where appropriate – Wheelchair adapted (Cat.3

standard) property(s) will be prioritised to those identified in need. And to promote a good quality, affordable and sustainable housing market

All Affordable Homes will meet the Nationally Described Space Standards and 25% will meet the national Adaptable and Accessible Standards. For specialist housing such as Extra Care and Supported Living, the SDP recommends HAPPI principles are followed.

What plans do you have in place, or are developing that will mitigate the likely identified impact/risk?At the heart of the National Planning Policy Framework is a presumption in favour of sustainable development, which should be seen as a golden thread running through both plan-making and decision-taking

DAG Score: 112. Business Continuity

Planning - Is there a Business Continuity plan in place that will be affected by the proposed changes and, if not, has the area been assessed to identify

Who will be affected by this proposal?n/a

7

critical processes or functions? Who will be affected by this proposal? Is the proposal likely to result in positive or negative impacts/risks arising? Are all interdependent service areas covered by the CIA and are there any single points of failure identified? RAG Score: 1

13. Have the impacts identified in Questions 4 to 12 been assessed using up to date and reliable evidence and data? Please provide a link to the evidence/data or state what the evidence/data is. The data and research page on the intranet is a useful resource.

Do you need to engage or consult with any representative group/s?

Are our staff affected? Have the unions or staff forums been involved? If

During the SPD preparation officers have gathered up to date evidence to inform this document.

There is no direct effect on staff who will use the SPD policies to deal with planning application consultations.

RAG Score: 1

8

not do they need to be?14. Are there other

implications not covered by this CIA that need to be considered?

Refer to the Committee Report Template Guidance page for further information.

n/a

Summary of this CIA(Please copy and paste information from this summary into the relevant section(s) of the report template)

What are the key risks/impacts – both positive and negative? Are there any groups affected more than others? What were the identified risks and their mitigation? Do you consider that the identified risks are cumulative? If yes make this clear in the Summary.

9

Summary of risks. What course of action does this CIA suggest you take? More than one of the following may apply. Please state the Residual Risk score. (Refer to the CIA Guidance regarding Risk Management)

Highest Risk Score

Outcome 1 - Green: No change required. The CIA has not identified any potential for adverse impact or risk. (Residual risk score of 6 or less)

6

Outcome 2 - Amber: Continue with the proposal but mitigate the identified risk/s. Despite the potential of an adverse risk/impact continue but make sure you have suitable mitigation plans in place to manage and monitor the risk or impact. (Residual risk score of 8 to 16)Outcome 3 - Red: Stop and rethink. The risk and or impacts may not be acceptable even with mitigation. (Residual risk score of 20+)

What course of action are you advising as a result of this CIA?Careful consideration has been given to the likely impacts of the SPD.

The SPD looks at enhancing:

1. A Place to Work and Learn: Ensure the long-term sustainability of Cornwall as a thriving, prosperous place. Provide high quality homes to local residents in housing need.

2. A Place to Live: Meet the housing targets (as in the Local Plan) up to 2030 by delivery affordable housing to meet local need Enhance the environmental, social and economic sustainability of Cornwall and its neighbourhoods. Protect the interests of future generations.

3. A Place to Meet, Shop and Do Business: Ensure developments are sustainable and have ready access to local facilities.

4. A Place to Relax and Enjoy: Conserve and enhance existing open spaces and leisure facilities. Enhance connectivity to key facilities.

Taking the impacts of the SPD into account, procedures have been followed and risks mitigated where possible. Cornwall Council has a duty to support the delivery of Affordable Housing.

10

DEAG Sign Off

Name – Economic Growth & Development DEAG

Date – 13/7/18

Comments from DEAGThis CIA has been finally reviewed.

11