The Draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on the Type and Affordability of Housing provides additional policy guidance to supplement the housing policies contained within Shropshire’s new Core Strategy.

The document covers the type, mix and design of housing; contributions to affordable housing from private development; affordable homes for local people on “exception” sites; farm workers’ dwellings and other occupational dwellings; gypsy and traveller sites, and conversions of holiday lets and conversions near listed buildings.

A consultation on the draft document runs until 14 February 2011.

Councillor Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for housing and planning, said, “We recognise the problems people face in securing good quality, affordable homes for themselves or their family members. The council’s planning policies take a positive approach, making it easier to build affordable housing, and trying to ensure that all new development contributes to meeting local needs.

“The draft SPD provides further guidance on the new planning approach contained in the Core Strategy, covering issues such as housing for the elderly, housing in the countryside, farm workers’ dwellings, gypsy sites and affordable housing. We will be listening carefully to what people say in response to this consultation, and will reflect the comments received in the final version of the document.”

The draft SPD is now available to view on the Shropshire Council website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/planning.nsf, at all Shropshire Council offices and Customer Service points in Shropshire, and in all Shropshire libraries.

Copies can also be requested by telephoning 0345 678 9004 or e-mailing planning.policy@shropshire.gov.uk.

All responses received as part of the consultation will be carefully considered when the SPD is finalised. A summary of comments received will be reported to Shropshire Council’s Cabinet, together with a final SPD for adoption, in March/April 2011.