First Homes – Interim Position Statement

5.1 The Government is also seeking to deliver First Homes via an exception sites approach and is introducing a ‘First Homes exception sites’ policy. First Homes exception sites are acceptable:

a) on land which is not already allocated for housing,

b) should comprise 100% First Homes (as set out above), and,

c) be adjacent to existing settlements, proportionate in size to them

5.2 First Homes exception sites should not compromise the protection given to areas or assets of particular importance identified in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (National Parks, AONB’s or Green Belt), and comply with any local design policies and standards.

5.3 A small proportion of market homes may be allowed on the site at the local authority’s discretion, for example where essential to enable the delivery of First Homes without grant funding. Also, a small proportion of other affordable homes may be allowed on the sites where there is significant identified local need. In designated rural areas, which include Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, rural exception sites will remain as a tool for the delivery of housing. Elsewhere, First Homes exception sites and rural exception sites can both come forward.

5.4 In Buckinghamshire in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Green Belt, rural exception sites will remain as the sole exception site which can come forward. Elsewhere, in the Wycombe, Chiltern and South Bucks areas, First Homes exception sites and rural exception sites can both come forward.

5.5 The site size threshold for Entry-Level Exception Sites in the NPPF (2021) para 72 where exception sites should not be larger than one hectare in size or exceed 5% of the size of the existing settlement - see National Planning Policy Framework 2021para 72 (has been removed for First Homes Exception Sites. A local authority can determine what it considers to be appropriate as a site size threshold.

5.6 As an Interim Position until the final Local Plan 4 Buckinghamshire is agreed, proposals for First Homes Exception Sites in the Wycombe, Chiltern and South Bucks areas will be considered on a site-by-site basis taking into consideration the size of the proposed site against the size of the adjacent settlement. Proposals will also need to demonstrate evidence of need in the sites location to justify the size of the development and will need to demonstrate that the development is sustainable in terms of its proximity to local transport networks and amenities.

5.8 To be clear none of the above applies to the Aylesbury Vale area.