Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015
Strategic Plan Framework: Housing (Page 5 of 6)

Over 70% of the estimated housing yield in the Metropolitan Urban Area is located within the existing urban footprints.

This will retain the compact urban form of the Metropolitan Urban Area while providing sufficient land to meet the Regional Development Strategy Housing Growth Indicator.

Full details of the housing allocation process in the Metropolitan Rural Area are contained in the Population and Housing Technical Supplement.

Site densities are specified in the Key Site Requirements in the relevant District proposals in line with prevailing policy and in response to specific site circumstances.

A minimum site density has been specified in the Key Site Requirements for sites zoned and designated for housing. This is to ensure the optimum use of land by achieving higher densities.

A maximum site density is also stipulated for sites zoned for housing outside urban footprints in cities and towns, on sites zoned for housing in towns where an urban footprint has not been identified and on sites designated for housing in other settlements, where appropriate. This is to ensure that greenfield sites are not developed to excess at the expense of lands within the urban footprint. It will also minimise the potential for significant divergence between the housing yield which could result from the Plan Proposals and the specified housing growth indicators for the Plan area. A maximum density has not been set for sites within the existing urban area or for sites within the core of villages.

In addition to the above, there is a requirement within the Plan that 10-15% of approximately 3,500 dwellings in Titanic Quarter are to be developed for social housing.

The Housing Needs Assessment undertaken by NIHE identifies the need for substantial levels of social housing over the early part of the Plan period up to 2010. Accordingly portions of the overall housing allocation are specifically zoned and designated for this in the Plan.

The sites zoned and designated for social housing are detailed in the relevant District Proposals, and further details are contained in the Population and Housing Technical Supplement.

SPG-HOU 6 of the Regional Development Strategy (RDS) encourages the development of balanced local communities by providing a mix of housing tenures and types. This includes social housing targeted to meet identified needs, where such need arises.

The Plan Proposals make provision to meet need as it arises and as identified by the NIHE in consultation with Planning Service. Implementation will be achieved through the application of Quality Initiative principles to specific development proposals and, where appropriate, through Planning Agreements to secure a proportion of social housing in major new developments.

NIHE has also indicated that it is reasonable to assume that a proportion of the social housing need for the BMA would be met either by the private rented sector or by the sale of low cost housing.

City and town centre living is a key element in contributing to a vibrant centre. Housing in central areas encourages a more sustainable pattern of development by assisting urban regeneration, and optimising existing infrastructure. City and town centre living encourages the development of ‘walkable communities’ with environmental benefits through reducing the need to use private cars, and community benefits to people such as the elderly and young people who do not have access to a car. It can also help to revitalise the physical fabric, with the re-use of vacant buildings, and the redevelopment of derelict and unattractive land. Finally, there are social benefits with the addition of new households to ageing communities, often bringing children to support local schools. Housing can also provide benefits in terms of activity and surveillance outside normal commercial hours.

Opportunities to increase housing provision in city and town centres include: