In this chapter

• Introduction to development management policy
• Housing
  • Policy H/AH: Affordable housing
  • Policy H/RS: Affordable housing regeneration schemes
  • Policy H/RES: Rural exception sites
  • Policy H/EC: Affordable housing requirements within older person and specialist housing (including Extra Care)
  • Policy H/SH: Specialist housing and homes for older people design
  • Policy H/AS: Accessible homes and residential space standards
  • Policy H/HM: Housing mix
  • Policy H/BtR: Build to rent developments
    • Policy H/BtR: Location of Build-to-rent schemes
    • Policy H/Btr: Affordable private rent discount in build-to-rent schemes
    • Policy H/BtR: Affordable private rent homes required in each Build-to-rent development
  • Policy H/CL: Co-living schemes
  • Policy H/PBSA: Purpose built student accommodation
  • Policy H/SBCHB: Self-build and custom housebuilding
  • Policy H/GT: Gypsies, travellers and travelling show people
  • Policy H/M: Moorings
• Climate change
• Nature and ecosystem services
• Green Belt
• Jobs and economy
• Healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities
• Heritage and design
• Sustainable transport
• Pollution, contamination and safety
• Minerals and waste
• Waste
• Infrastructure

Policy H/BtR: Affordable private rent homes required in each Build-to-rent development

Please read these options together with the policy for Build to rent developments

About this page

How this part of the Local Plan Options Document works

These Development Management policy option pages contain the following sections:

Policy background

• Relevant national policy or regulations
• National or regional trends
• Local situation and needs
• How we have dealt with this issue in the past
• The thinking behind the policy

Policy options for the new Local Plan

We may suggest a variety of approaches:

• Keeping existing policy as it is
• Making small changes
• Replacing the policy with something that is substantially different
• Identifying factors or events which may affect this policy in the future

Policy option analysis

• A list of the advantages and disadvantages that we have identified for each of the policy options we are presenting.

More on this topic

Read the Housing Topic Paper for in-depth focus about this topic, and the evidence which informs our policy.

Explore the policy

Select a section below to read more.

Policy background

9.79    Planning Practice Guidance advises that 20% is generally a suitable benchmark for the level of affordable private rent homes to be in any build to rent scheme. However, if local authorities wish to set a different proportion, they should justify this using the evidence emerging from their local housing need assessment, and set the policy out in their Local Plan. 

9.80    Data in the Local Housing Needs Assessment evidences a significant need for affordable housing in Bath and North East Somerset. In Bath, the level of affordable housing required is around 77% of total housing provision, and outside of Bath, the level is around 31%. 

9.81    As such, the following options test the delivery of a higher percentage of affordable housing from Build to Rent schemes, consistent with standard affordable housing percentages required across other housing types. The options will be subject to viability testing. 

Policy options for the new Local Plan

Option A

Provide at least 20% affordable private rent homes (this proportion to be maintained in perpetuity).

Advantages of Option A

• In line with NPPF recommendation

Disadvantages of Option A

• This level of provision is lower than that which our Local Housing Needs Assessment says is necessary.

Option B

Provide (and maintain in perpetuity) percentage of affordable private rent homes in line with standard affordable housing percentages required across other housing types.

Advantages of Option B

• Levels in line with affordable housing percentages required across other housing types

Disadvantages of Option B

• Viability implications (to be tested)