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. While Local Plan Policy CN1 (Affordable Housing) requires affordable housing on all residential sites, Policy HO5 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2026) states that affordable housing should generally 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 required on sites below this threshold. The NPPF is a significant material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

For the purposes of the NPPF, Designated Rural Areas include:

• 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 parts of the borough that fall within a Designated Rural Area are shown below. Parish population figures are taken from Hampshire County Council’s Small Area Population Forecast (SAPF) and are updated annually, usually in the summer.

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

The requirement in Policy CN1 to secure affordable housing on all residential sites within Designated Rural Areas is consistent with national policy and is therefore considered to remain up to date.

Accordingly, the council will require:

• within Designated Rural Areas - affordable housing on all residential sites.
• outside Designated Rural Areas - affordable housing on major development, as defined by the NPPF.

Policy CN1 sets out the circumstances in which off-site provision or a financial contribution in lieu of on-site affordable housing may be accepted.