Interim Planning Guidance on affordable housing

The Interim Planning Guidance (IPG) was adopted by Shropshire Council on 16 July 2009, following extensive consultation with parish councils, housing associations and others. It is a material consideration when determining planning applications in Shropshire.

The purpose of the IPG is to increase the supply of affordable housing by allowing an exception to be made to normal planning policies in certain circumstances. It also responds to the current economic downturn by providing flexibility in relation to affordable housing on mixed developments.

The IPG enables building on single plot “exceptions sites” where it will assist local people who have a need for affordable housing to stay within their community. The affordable house, once built, is subject to legal restrictions on its value (typically 60% the normal market price) and on whom it can be sold to (limited to persons with strong local connections or employed locally). These restrictions remain for the lifetime of the property. A summary leaflet and an information pack is available to download at the bottom of this page.

The IPG also relates to Housing Associations building up to 20 homes on “exceptions sites” across Shropshire. A summary leaflet is available at the foot of this page.

For open market developments, the IPG provides a common approach across Shropshire. During the current market downturn, financial appraisals of the viability of mixed developments will influence the proportion of affordable housing sought.

The IPG can be downloaded free of charge below.

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