Carmarthenshire councillors have agreed to changes that will make it easier for affordable homes built under planning agreements to be sold to Registered Social Landlords for renting.
Tuesday’s meeting of the county council’s planning committee agreed to revise the system of Section 106 planning agreements signed with developers.
The standard 106 Agreement dealing with the provision of affordable housing will be amended so as to permit greater flexibility with regard to the sale of land or affordable homes to Registered Social Landlords in appropriate circumstances.
The aim is to increase the provision of affordable housing and to safeguard existing and future developments of a mix of open market and affordable housing.
In July 2007 the Executive Board gave approval for 106 Agreements to be imposed on all suitable developments to secure an appropriate level of affordable housing, together with other contributions for education and open space provision. The agreement is designed to ensure that the properties remain affordable for subsequent occupiers.
The main change that is proposed is that housing associations may be involved at the start of a scheme, which may make developers more likely to go ahead with the scheme during the recession.
The council is negotiation with developers on a number of sites at the moment where housing association involvement from the start will be vital to get the development underway, and will help to safeguard local construction jobs and businesses as well as providing affordable homes.
Executive board member for housing and public protection Cllr Hugh Evans said: “We have an excellent track record in making sure that Carmarthenshire people are able to benefit from the affordable homes that have been developed over the past three years, and this in spite of the recession and the credit crunch.
“We want to make sure that this carries on, and that means working closely with our housing association partners to deliver for local people.”
