DARTMOOR National Park Authority has published for consultation a document to support the delivery of affordable housing in the national park. 

'Affordable Housing in Dartmoor National Park' is a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which aims to make clear the authority's expectations and provide guidance, adding detail to the policies in the adopted local plan.  

The document addresses subjects such as identifying housing need, different types and sizes of affordable housing, where to allow open market housing in order to support the viability of schemes, and allowing financial contributions in lieu of on-site provision where sites may not be suitable for affordable housing.  

Dartmoor National Park Authority chairman Bill Hitchins said: 'This document is important in setting out how the authority will be proactive and flexible in the delivery of affordable housing. 

'The average house price on Dartmoor in 2013 was over £270,000 — we recognise the importance of affordable housing to our Dartmoor communities and are rising to the challenge to support them in bringing it forward.'   

Director of planning Stephen Belli said: 'The Affordable Housing SPD will play an important role in planning decision making in the National Park. 

'We're keen that local people and others with an interest in housing on Dartmoor take the opportunity to comment on the draft.' 

The document is published on the Authority's web site http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk">www.dartmoor.gov.uk

Comments on the SPD are invited by 4.30pm on Friday, February 28.

They should be sent to: Forward Planning and Community, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Parke, Bovey Tracey, Devon, TQ13 9JQ, or by email to [email protected]">[email protected]