Part One: Spatial Strategy and Policies (Regulation 19)

8.8. It is important that the new homes delivered over the plan period are located in places with good sustainable transport, access to key residential services and provide a mix of types and densities which are appropriate to their location and help meet local needs.

8.9. Achieving an appropriate density and housing type mix is crucial both to the success of each new housing development and the overall sustainability of the Spatial Strategy. It is important that every major development, of ten homes or more, contributes to providing an appropriate house type mix and density, aligned with current local needs. Achieving the right density and mix of house types will also help to protect and improve physical, social and mental health and wellbeing.             

8.10. The accessibility of all housing developments to a range of residential services by walking, cycling or public transport is key to achieving sustainable communities. As high-density developments tend to accommodate more people, they should generally be located in those areas with the best access to services, to encourage use of sustainable transport modes. The highest densities of 100 homes per hectare should be in areas with the best access to public transport and services, but also where a high density development presents the best design solution to reflect historic character and distinctiveness. Therefore, such densities will only be acceptable within Strategic Centres and Town Centres. Conversely, lower density developments, accommodating more families, should enjoy high levels of accessibility to schools. Not all developments with good sustainable access to services will be suited to the highest densities – in some cases a lower density will be more appropriate, for example in area of historic character, to reflect the density of adjacent uses or to meet the need for a mix of housing types.

8.11. Table 8.2 provides access standards for differing house type mixes/densities, in relation to four priority residential services: employment, health, fresh food and education. Proxies have been selected for each service. Employment is represented by Strategic Centres and retained employment areas. The proxy used for fresh food is a centre, or an existing food store outside a centre that currently provides a range and choice of fresh food. The access standards have been developed based on survey evidence regarding the distance people are prepared to travel to each service by foot and public transport and are designed to help create well-connected and walkable neighbourhoods. Although open space does not form one of the priority residential services for the purposes of establishing the appropriate density and type of housing, Policy DLP37 taken together with local standards and policies will ensure that a sufficient quantity and quality of different types of open space is available close to where people live.

8.12. Housing developments of ten homes or more will be expected to meet the accessibility standards set out in Table 8.2, which vary according to density and likely house type mix. Where there is an identified gap in service provision against one or more of these standards, investment will be sought to improve either service provision or access to existing services sufficient to ensure standards are met. New service provision, including for centre uses, should be located, and justified in accordance with Policies DLP25, DLP26 and DLP27 in particular.

8.13. Current accessibility to residential services by sustainable transport modes across Dudley has been modelled. This modelling shows the high levels of accessibility achieved by the Spatial Strategy. However, there are some gaps in the provision that will need to be addressed through service or access improvements. The model will be updated on a regular basis to reflect changes in service provision and public transport services. Local circumstances, such as planned changes to service provision, will be considered when assessing accessibility on a site-by-site basis.

8.14. The Dudley Housing Market Assessment (HMA) 2024 demonstrates that new households to be generated over the Plan period will need the following mix of home tenures and types.              

8.15. It is important that housing provision reflects the needs of these new households, allowing for at least one bedroom per person, whilst also reflecting the varying needs set out in the HMA.