Decisions

Reason for Decision

Housing the homeless under

Alternative options considered and rejected

Not to lease this particular property.

Decision

To lease 34a Castlemaine Road Weymouth DT3 6RP under the direct leasing scheme for homes households.

Reasons for Decision

There are currently five self-build and custom housebuilding registers held across the administrative Dorset Council area. Local planning authorities can only hold one self-build and custom housebuilding register in their area. The formation of Dorset Council in April 2019 therefore means that the five existing self-build registers previously held by the five former districts now need to be replaced by a single register. This process will remove duplicate entries and satisfy data protection legislation.

The registration processes for the existing registers were set up in April 2016. To be entered onto the register applicants simply need to be over the age of 18, a British Citizen or national of an EEA State and seeking to acquire a serviced plot of land.

As part of the registration process Local Planning Authorities can request applicants provide additional information to that required by the legislation. This information can be used to support a greater understanding of the nature of demand for self-build and custom housebuilding in the area. Given the wide range of information collected the list of additional information should be rationalised. 

New regulations came into force on the 31 October 2016 which allows councils to divide the register into two parts setting eligibility criteria for the register. Councils were also able to charge an administration fee for registration. The former Purbeck District Council took this opportunity however the other four districts (West Dorset, North Dorset, East Dorset and Weymouth & Portland) did not do so. The registration process therefore needs to be standardised across the Dorset Council area.

Dorset Council is taking this opportunity to divide the register into two parts by introducing a ‘local connection test’. Residents that meet all eligibility requirements and can demonstrate a local connection to the Dorset Council area will be eligible for entry onto Part 1 of the register. All other eligible entries will be entered onto a Part 2. 

Dorset Council must count entries on Part 1 of the register towards the number of suitable serviced plots that we must grant development permission for. Entries on Part 2 do not count towards this demand but the Council must have regard to the entries on Part 2 when carrying out their planning, housing, land disposal and regeneration functions.

Dividing the register into two parts and introducing an additional eligibility criterion will enable us to maximise limited available resources and prioritise residents with a local connection to the area. A financial resources assessment is not proposed. As a consequence of this decision Dorset Council will cease to apply a ‘financial resources test’ in the former Purbeck area.

Setting an administrative fee will cover some of the cost of administrating Part 1 of the self-build and custom housebuilding register.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

There are no alterative options to holding a single Dorset Council self-build register. Local planning authorities can only hold one self-build and custom housebuilding register in their area

Dorset Council could choose not to apply a ‘local connection test’ however the demand for plots evidenced by the register could significantly outstrip supply of available plots with no priority given to people with a local connection. To apply a local connection test the self-build register must be divided into two parts.

A financial resources assessment could be applied to applications however this would create an additional burden on the Financial Services department of Dorset Council. Financial data is highly sensitive and would require secure and confidential storage, auditing and analysis. On this basis a financial resources assessment is currently not proposed.

An alternative administration fee could be charged for entry onto Part 1 and Part 2 of the self-build register however the proposed fee is considered to reflect staff resource and is in-line with that charged by the former Purbeck District Council.

Decision

To agree changes to the registration procedure for entry onto the Dorset Council self-build and custom housebuilding register.

1)    To replace all former district council self-build and custom housebuilding registers with a single Dorset Council self-build register.

2)    Rationalise the additional information collected as part of the registration process.

3)    To divide the self-build and custom housebuilding register into two parts referred to as Part 1 and Part 2 of the register.

4)    To introduce a ‘local connection test’ for entry onto Part 1.

5)    To cease applying a ‘financial resources test’ in the former Purbeck area.

6)    To set an administration fee of £50.00 for entry onto Part 1 (£50.00 annual renewal) and free entry onto Part 2 of the register.

It is anticipated that these changes would come into effect in October 2020.

Reason for Decision

Housing the homeless under

Alternative options considered and rejected

Not to lease this particular property.

Decision

To lease Flat 6 Tilly Whim Mews Swanage BH17 1EH under the direct leasing scheme for homeless households.

Reason for Decision

Housing the homeless under

Alternative options considered and rejected

Not to lease this particular property.

Decision

To lease Flat 7 Tilly Whim Swanage BH17 1EH under the direct leasing scheme for homeless households.