Evidence base for preventing homelessness and rough sleeping strategy

The Council will be drawing up a new Local Plan for Buckinghamshire, reflecting recent changes in planning law and proposals in the recent White Paper: Planning for the Future. The proposed plan for Chiltern and South Bucks was formally withdrawn to allow time for further work. The Wycombe District Local Plan was adopted in 2019; it identifies a need for 13.200 new homes up to 2033, or around 550 new homes a year. These will mainly be built in Wycombe, Princes Risborough and Bourne End. Around half will be on brownfield sites. This includes provision of affordable housing and housing to meet the needs of older people. The Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan was adopted in 2021. This identifies a need for 22,475 new homes to be delivered up to 2033, or 1,405 new homes each year. These numbers meet the objectively assessed need for the previous Vale of Aylesbury district and also provide additional homes to meet need arising in other districts of what is now the Buckinghamshire Council area.

The lack of affordable housing is a key driver of homelessness; being able to meet objectively assessed need with the delivery of new homes is a key part of preventing homelessness. Much will depend on the agreed numbers and tenure mix of the affordable housing element, as well as the potential for new properties available to let at market rents.