Policy RES1: Residential Mix Standards
Residential schemes which address local need in Cumnor, based on the most recent evidence available, will be supported. Schemes of ten dwellings or more should include theThe provision of smaller dwellings (1-2 bedrooms) is considered to contribute towards meeting the needs of this local community for the purposes of national decision-making policy on meeting the need for homes.in at least equal numbers to larger dwellings (3 bedrooms and above).- All residential development should incorporate sensitively screened and unobtrusive storage for bins and recycling and secure and screened storage for bicycles. Where practicable such storage facilities should be located in positions not visible from street frontages.
- The policy seeks to address the lack of smaller dwellings, so as to cater better for first time buyers and those seeking to downsize. NPPF provisions on housing makes it clear that 150 homes is an appropriate threshold for setting residential mix and standards. In all cases national provision HO7 will apply where substantial weight is given to the benefits of providing accommodation that will contribute towards meeting the evidenced needs of a local community. National decision-making policy HO7 Meeting the need for homes currently states: “1. In applying the policies in this Framework, substantial weight should be given to the benefits of providing accommodation that will contribute towards meeting the evidenced needs of the local community, taking into account any up-to-date local housing need assessment, and other relevant evidence (including the extent to which there is a five year supply of deliverable housing and traveller sites, and performance against the Housing Delivery Test).” (which reflects paras. 61 – 63 of the 2024 NPPF).
- Government housing standards should be utilised to consider the number of conforming bedrooms in each dwelling. At present, this is ‘Technical housing standards – nationally described space standard, March 2015’.