Percival Close, Biggin
Local Lettings Policy
Platform Housing Group (formerly Waterloo Housing Group), Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council and Derbyshire Dales District Council
September 2017
The site
Percival Close, Biggin
Percival Close is an established block of 12 flats in the rural village of Biggin, which lies in the Peak District National Park. The number of affordable homes available within the village is limited, with Platform Housing Group owning and managing just the 12 one bedroom flats.
Link to Google Street Map of Percival Close.
Reason for the Local Lettings Policy and Background
Given the limited number of affordable homes locally and through agreement with Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council and Derbyshire District Council, agreement has been reached to introduce a local lettings plan. The purpose of the plan is to ensure that vacant homes, when available are allocated with a preference given (in the first instance) to households who have an established local connection to Biggin.
The Home-Options Policy (which is agreed by the Home-Options partners, including Platform Housing Group and Derbyshire Dales District Council) highlights that local lettings policies have an important role in widening housing choices for local people and helping to provide sustainable communities.
Legal Framework
This approach complies with the government’s guidance issued through the Allocation of accommodation: guidance for local housing authorities in England (DCLG, June 2012). This guidance allows councils and housing providers to use local lettings policies to achieve a wide range of policy objectives.
The Local Lettings Policy Criteria
Properties at Percival Close shall be advertised through Home-Options – Derbyshire District Council’s choice-based lettings service.
Homes will be allocated with a preference given (in the first instance) to households who have an established local connection to the village. A local connection is determined by the household having lived in the Parish of Biggin for at least six months prior to applying for a vacant home.
If after advertising a vacant home at Percival Close, the list of suitable applicants with a local connection is exhausted, the process of allocation will revert to the Derbyshire Home-Options Policy with applicants offered in order of housing need.
Consultation
This policy was agreed in consultation with Platform Housing Group, Hartington Nether Quarter Parish Council and Derbyshire Dales District Council.
Contact details
Any queries about this Local Lettings Policy can be made to:
Home-Options Team
Platform Housing Group
1700 Solihull Parkway
Birmingham Business Park
Birmingham B37 7YD
Telephone: 0333 200 7304
Email: info@platformhg.com