Adopted Stowmarket Area Action Plan - Mid Suffolk District Council

Stowmarket Area Action Plan6.20 The sites are within the existing settlement boundary for Stowmarket (establishedin the Mid Suffolk Local Plan, 1998), so could be brought forward for redevelopment byplanning applications, without the need for specific allocations. The estimates of potentialhousing capacity take account of flood risk constraints on parts of some sites.6.21 Depending on the outcome of the County Council's School Organisation Reviewfurther sites could come forward if schools are found to be surplus to the needs ofeducation, following consultations in the autumn 2012.6.22 The Stowmarket Area Action Plan proposals for the Station Quarter area are formixed uses, including some housing development on previously developed land, such asflats above ground level commercial uses. It is hoped that proposals for this area andcompletion of the B1115 relief road and bridge will encourage development of other brownfield sites in central Stowmarket.6.23 The Core Strategy has a general policy to make best use of land by achievingaverage densities of at least 30 dwellings per hectare, unless there are special localcircumstances that require a different treatment. Higher densities of at least 40 dwellingsper hectare may be achieved in more sustainable locations in towns, close to a good rangeof services and facilities. This would apply to some central areas of Stowmarket. Designpolicies will control the height of buildings, such as flats, to take account of the surroundingtownscape and the provision of space for waste and recycling facilities. It is intended thatthis flexible approach to housing density can be responsive to market requirements andthe distinctive character of an area or settlement, including community views set out invillage or town design statements.Housing Evidence6.24 Evidence of local housing needs is provided by Strategic Housing MarketAssessment (SHMA), Housing Needs Surveys, Parish Plans, Village Appraisals and VillageDesign Statements. Population and household projections indicate an increasing needfor housing suitable for older residents.6.25 A Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) and a Strategic Housing LandAvailability Assessment (SHLAA) are required by Government policy to be part of theevidence base. They provide information on the need and demand for housing and theopportunities that exist to meet it.6.26 A Strategic Housing Market Assessment (November 2008) has been prepared byconsultants as a joint assessment for Mid Suffolk, Ipswich Borough, Babergh District andSuffolk Coastal District. . An update of the SHMA has been carried out by Suffolk CountyCouncil in late 2009.6.27 A Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment has been prepared jointly byMid Suffolk, Babergh, Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury councils, with a panel ofstakeholders, including house builders, developers and agents.6.28 Housing Need Surveys for Mid Suffolk have indicated a substantial need foraffordable housing in the District. The Core Strategy retains the target of 35% affordablehousing in new housing developments as set out in the Local Plan Alteration adopted in2006. It also takes account of RSS policy and evidence of market viability, provided by36Mid Suffolk Stowmarket Area Action Plan (February 2013)