Growth and Regeneration in the Gateway - london.gov.uk - Greater ...

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4.10There is potential for further homes for many years after 2016
as implementation of major sites proceeds, some of the more
difficult sites start to become available and new transport and
other infrastructure opens up further opportunities. This will
depend upon the continuing delivery of the substantial
infrastructure that will be essential to enable the Gateway to
maximise its contribution to the huge housing needs of the
wider South East. The East of England has a figure of 37,000
new homes by 2021. The other two regions will produce
equivalent figures as their planning processes progress.
4.11The housing figures in Tables 2 and 3 reflect potential capacity.
Demographic change and household size will be important
influences in determining the number and types of homes that
will be needed, but there will inevitably be a continuing demand
and need for housing. Population would grow by at least
275,000 if the RPBs’ figure of 128,500 homes were built to
2016 and by about a further 75,000 if the higher London
figures were achieved.
4.12Some profound demographic changes will continue in the wider
South East and especially in London, with relatively high inmigration
and birth rates. The range of housing types will need
to reflect this change. For example some of the large numbers
of young in-migrants may want accommodation in smaller units
that can be provided in higher density housing. However, the
Gateway must also provide for households at all stages of their
development and for all age groups and family types,
recognising the ethnic diversity of the population.
4.13Sustainable Communities must be attractive to the full range of
income groups. There has to be a range of housing types and
costs across the Gateway, including more homes for higher and
medium level income groups. Some areas are dominated by
particular forms of housing, such as large estates, and would
benefit from greater variety. The contribution of affordable
housing will be important throughout the Gateway to address
social need and ensure that a workforce with a range of skills can
be accommodated across the area. In the London Plan, the Mayor
has set an overall target that 50% of all additional housing should
be affordable. This target includes affordable housing from all
sources and not just that secured through planning obligations.
In the South East a proportion of affordable housing in
additional housing in the order of 30% is anticipated. The target
for South Essex will be determined in the context of Regional
Planning Guidance now in preparation. A comprehensive picture
for the whole Gateway will then be established.