The Government has announced (March 2015) updates to its policy on housing standards and zero carbon homes - www.gov.uk/government/speeches/planning-update-march-2015  

These affect the Council’s implementation of Policy CP11 of the adopted Local Plan Part 1. While policy CP11 remains part of the Development Plan and the Council still aspires to achieve its standards for residential development (Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5 for energy and Level 4 for water), Government advice now sets maximum standards equivalent to Code Level 4 for energy and water. Therefore, for applications determined after 26 March 2015, Local Plan policy CP11 will be applied in compliance with the maximum standards set out in Government advice.

Following a decision by the Court of Appeal (May 2016) the Government has implemented its November 2014 policy that sites of 10 homes or fewer (or no more than 1000 square metres gross floorspace) will be exempt from policies seeking affordable housing provision or contributions. This has been confirmed by changes to Planning Practice Guidance (paragraph 031). Within the South Downs National Park part of the District, financial contributions towards affordable housing will be sought for schemes of between 6 and 10 dwellings, as allowed for in ‘designated rural areas’.

While policy CP3 remains part of the Development Plan, and the Council still aspires to achieve its provisions (40% affordable housing provision where viable on all sites), Government policy currently prevents this for sites of 10 or fewer dwellings (or no more than 1000 sq.m.), or 5 or fewer dwellings in the National Park. Therefore, for applications determined after 19 May 2016, Local Plan policy CP3 will be applied in compliance with current Government advice.