There has been significant development in Leighton Linslade in recent years with just under 3,000 new homes built since 2011.The Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) (March 2025) identifies that Leighton Linslade’s existing housing stock is dominated by larger dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes forming the largest single proportion (41%), followed by 2-bedroom homes (28%), while 1-bedroom dwellings account for a much smaller share (8%).

Over the last decade, there has been a disproportionate increase in the delivery of larger 4-bedroom and above homes, resulting in a gradual skew of the overall housing stock towards larger units. The HNA concludes that future residential development should play a role in rebalancing this trend by prioritising the delivery of smaller and medium-sized homes, particularly 2- and 3-bedroom dwellings, to better align with current and future household needs. This approach is consistent with Local Plan Policy H1 (Housing Mix), which seeks to ensure that new development delivers an appropriate mix of dwelling sizes to meet identified local needs.

The HNA also highlights changing demographic patterns within Leighton Linslade, including an ageing population alongside continued demand from working-age households and those seeking to access the housing market for the first time. Increasing the supply of smaller and medium-sized homes can support first-time buyers, renters and downsizers, improve affordability, and enable households to move within the parish as their housing needs change, thereby making more efficient use of the existing housing stock. Clause A therefore guides development towards a balanced mix of dwelling sizes, in general conformity with Policy H1, while allowing flexibility to respond to site-specific circumstances and viability considerations, ensuring that new housing contributes positively to the creation of mixed, inclusive and sustainable communities in Leighton Linslade.

The Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) (March 2025) also identifies a clear and accelerating ageing trend within Leighton Linslade’s existing population. The most significant population growth since 2011 has occurred within the 65–84 age group (+38%) and those aged 85 and over (+29%), with projections indicating the formation of approximately 2,147 additional households headed by people aged 75 and over during the Neighbourhood Plan period. The HNA concludes that while there is demand for market sheltered accommodation, a substantial proportion of older households’ needs can be met through the provision of mainstream housing that is accessible and adaptable, allowing residents to remain in their homes as their mobility and support needs change over time.

Clause B recognises that with an aging population, the neighbourhood plan can address the need to provide accessible and adaptable dwellings to reduce the requirement for age restricted housing. By encouraging developers to build to at least M4(2) standard this ensures new builds provide options for residents to remain in their home in later years, rather than moving out into care facilities, helping to maintain a balanced mix of demographics within any given neighbourhood. Whilst M4(2) and M4(3) are not mandatory as building regulations, the emerging NPPF Policy HO5 1(b) states that at least 40% of new housing stock should be M4(2) or M4(3)  and PM13 is clear that this is one of only two matters pertaining to building regulations where local standards may be set. In a number of locations a higher standard has been adopted through planning policy including the London Plan, where M4(2) is a required standard. The government consulted on extending M4(2) to all new homes in July 2022 and the impact assessment and other background documents for this consultation provide additional support for this policy

This approach therefore supports the efficient use of land and housing stock, reduces pressure for age-restricted or specialist accommodation, and promotes inclusive communities that enable people to age in place. By embedding accessibility into mainstream housing, Clause B helps ensure that new development contributes positively to long-term housing resilience and the creation of balanced and sustainable neighbourhoods within Leighton Linslade.