Housing SPD

In July 2018 the council adopted the Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to support the implementation of housing policies in the adopted Local Plan (2011-2029). The SPD provides guidance on affordable housing; housing mix for market housing; housing for older people and those in need of care; and self-build and custom housebuilding.

Since the SPD was adopted, national policy relating to affordable housing has changed. Policy HO5 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2026) states that affordable housing should be sought only on major developments (10 or more homes, or sites of 0.5 hectares or more), except within Designated Rural Areas, where affordable housing may be sought on sites below this threshold. Although Local Plan Policy CN1 (Affordable Housing) requires affordable housing on all residential developments, the NPPF is a significant material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

As set out within the NPPF (2026), Designated Rural Areas include comprise:

• all sites within the North Wessex Downs National Landscape;
• parishes with a population of 3,000 or fewer and a population density of no more than two persons per hectare; and
• areas designated under Section 157 of the Housing Act 1985.

The areas of the borough that fall within a Designated Rural Area are shown on the map below.

Basingstoke and Deane Designated Rural Area (NPPF 2026) (opens in new window)

In identifying the Designated Rural Area, parish population figures have been taken from Hampshire County Council’s Small Area Population Forecast (SAPF). This data is updated annually, usually during the summer. This table presents the population data used to determine which parishes fall within the Designated Rural Area definition.

In light of Local Plan Policy CN1 and the NPPF (2026), the council will require:

• outside Designated Rural Areas - Affordable housing on major development, as defined by the NPPF
• within Designated Rural Areas - Affordable housing on all developments of six or more (net) new dwellings, in line with the threshold set out in the Housing SPD