Council looks to increase affordable housing

An affordable homes development is planned for Ray Mill Road West, Maidenhead

One of the more expensive places to live in England is looking at ways to boost its amount of affordable homes.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is holding a six-week public consultation on its draft Affordable Housing Delivery Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

The technical document helps guide developers and those deciding planning applications.

Liberal Democrat councillor Adam Bermange said: “We all know there’s an urgent need for more genuinely affordable housing in our borough.”

Work is taking place on the 100% affordable homes development in Maidenhead

The average house price in Windsor is £551,000 well above the UK average of £283,000, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Meanwhile, the average monthly rent was £1,552 in March, compared to £1,246 nationwide.

Local plans require developers to deliver 30 or 40% affordable homes on schemes of normally 10 or more properties.

Mr Bermange said: “This document seeks to optimise the amount and type of affordable housing that we can deliver through the planning system, placing the priority on social rented as this is the most affordable to residents.”

The consultation will run until 20 June.