New Consultation on Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document

Living Magazines Dacorum Borough Council logo and map

Dacorum Borough Council has launched a consultation on the Draft Interim Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

This SPD is intended to replace the Council’s supplementary guidance which supported the Core Strategy 2013. It does not relate to the current consultation on the Dacorum Local Plan to 2041.

This SPD takes into account changed Government guidance on affordable housing and provides additional guidance on certain matters to clarify the operation of its 2013 policies. In addition, the Council wishes to ensure that rented affordable is genuinely affordable for households in need of such housing.

The title of this document includes the word ‘Interim’ because the SPD will remain operational only until the Council adopts its new Local Plan. At that time the Council will also adopt an updated Affordable Housing SPD, to supplement the new Local Plan’s affordable housing policies.

Whilst consulting on this SPD the Council acknowledges the Government are proposing several changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Any new guidance, and any other updates published prior to adoption of this SPD, will be reflected in the SPD prior to its adoption.

Following the consultation, the Council will consider the views raised and make any changes it feels are necessary to the document before it adopts the document. Once adopted, the SPD will become a material consideration in determining planning applications. The Council must continue to take account of any relevant new Government guidance that is issued. Any such guidance may take precedence over some aspects of the SPD. 

How can I have my say?

The consultation began at 12pm (noon) on Monday 25 November 2024 and closes at 12am (midnight) on Monday 6 January 2025.

You can submit your comments online by completing the survey on the Council’s Let’s Talk Dacorum consultation portal: https://letstalk.dacorum.gov.uk/interim-affordable-housing-spd

If it is not possible to complete the survey, please visit the Council’s website www.dacorum.gov.uk/supplementary-planning-documents to see the other ways you can respond, using the downloadable comments form.

Please note that comments received cannot be treated as confidential and will be available to view publicly. However, published comments will exclude your personal contact details and include only your name.

Where can I find more information?

All information and documents relating to this consultation are available online:

Hard copies of the documents are viewable: