Housing Delivery Programme
Vision
The Council's Housing Delivery Programme has been developed to lead on the delivery of housing that supports the future needs of the islands.
Key Objectives
- Increase the number of affordable homes to rent and buy
- Build high quality homes
- Support community led development
- Create a financially sustainable model of delivery
Affordable homes definition
The Local Plan defines Affordable homes as:
Affordable homes are defined in the NPPF and include those for social rent, affordable rent and intermediate housing that can be rented, purchased outright or purchased through shared ownership or equity. Affordable homes are eligible for households whose needs are not met by the general housing market. Eligibility is determined by a range of factors, including local incomes and house prices. Affordable homes should remain at an affordable price or rent for future eligible households.
- Social rented homes should generally be owned by local authorities or private registered providers, with rents determined nationally.
- Affordable rented homes should be let by local authorities or private registered providers of social housing to household who are eligible for social rented housing. Affordable rent requires that it should be no more than 80% of the local market rent (including service charges where applicable).
- Intermediate homes are available for sale or rent at a cost above social rent but below market levels. These can include shared equity (shared ownership and equity loans) and intermediate rent, but not affordable rent.
Housing Delivery Sites:
H3, Land North of Old Town: Self & Custom Build Project
The Local Plan allocated site, H3, is being progressed by the Council’s Housing Delivery Team as part of a wider programme of housing delivery. This site is being brought forward to meet the demand for Self & Custom build opportunities on the islands and respond to the lack of available and affordable land for this type of home ownership.
This scheme received outline planning approval for 12 serviced plots in April 2021.
The project has also received grant funding to progress the infrastructure required on site to deliver serviced plots: https://scilly.gov.uk/news/council-secures-funding-progress-old-town-self-build-housing-project
The Council are working closely with Cornwall Community Land Trust (CCLT) to progress the Self and Custom build project and draw on their experience in community-led housing delivery. The conditional transfer of the site to CCLT was approved by Full Council in September 2021 in order to enable CCLT to submit a bid for grant funding to the Community Housing Fund to support the project's revenue costs. It is anticipated that the transfer of the site will take place later this year (2022).
The Housing Delivery Team and Cornwall Community Land Trust are working in partnership to progress the site works and discharge planning conditions.
If you would like to express an interest in Self and Custom build opportunities on the Isles of Scilly, please register your interest via the Council's Custom/Self-build register.
H1, Former Secondary School, Carn Thomas
The Council is currently exploring housing delivery opportunities with LiveWest Housing Association to progress the vacant site at Carn Thomas for affordable housing.
In September 2021, Full Council approved the proposed site transfer to LiveWest and is in the process of entering into an Option Agreement with the housing association.
The Council has received £315,000 of Land Release Funding to address abnormal site preparation costs at Carn Thomas. This funding will help to de-risk the site and allow the land to be released for affordable housing delivery.
April Cottage
In October 2021, Full Council approved the acquisition of a property on St Mary’s to meet the immediate housing need on the islands. The Council acquired the property, 'April Cottage' located on Church Road in December 2021 and has received planning approval to convert it into 3 dwellings for affordable rent.
The conversion works have been completed to create two 2-bedroom homes and one 1-bedroom home.
The Council has also worked with Homes England to explore grant funding available to support this scheme through the Affordable Housing Fund (2021-26) and has successfully received £150,000 to support this project.
Contacting the Housing Delivery team:
01720 424417