POLICY LL6: Housing Mix and Type
- All Development proposals should be delivered as accessible and adaptable dwellings in accordance with Building Regulations M4(2) or M4(3), unless evidence can be provided to demonstrate that such provision would be impracticable or render the scheme unviable.
- Proposals for residential development will be expected to provide a mix of dwelling types and sizes to address the nature of local needs and contribute to the objective of creating a mixed and balanced community. To achieve this objective, provision should be made for smaller dwellings (1 bedroom – 3 bedroom) which should comprise 50% or more of the total in new residential development schemes of five or more dwellings. The tenure mix should also be suitable for those looking to rent/buy their first home and downsizers.
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), carried out in March 2025, shows that 3-bedroom homes are the most common dwelling size in Leighton Linslade (41%), followed by 2-bedroom homes (28%). The remainder is made up of a notable proportion of larger 4+ bedroom homes (24%) and a much smaller proportion of 1-bedroom homes (8%).
Over the last decade there has been a small reduction in the proportion of homes with between 2 and 3 bedrooms due to the sharper increase in the number of larger 4+ bedroom homes. These changes mean that the overall dwelling stock skews slightly larger in 2021 than it did in 2011. Clause A seeks to redress this imbalance.
The data also shows that the most notable changes have been in the population aged between 65-84 (+38%), followed by the population aged 85+ (+29%). This is in contrast to either much slower growth or a contraction in the younger age groups. This disproportionate growth in the older population cohorts suggests a gradual ageing of the Leighton Linslade population, alongside the possibility that older people
may have relocated to the parish after retirement. It should be noted, however, that despite this clear ageing trend, the majority of the population in Leighton Linslade are generally of working age (25-64).
The projected growth in the older population points to 2,147 new households made up of persons aged 75+ over the Neighbourhood Plan period. The main unmet need in Leighton Linslade is this age group is for market sheltered accommodation (or accommodation which would deliver similar attributes) and the HNA notes that in some cases this need may be satisfied by new housing that is accessible and adaptable for people with lower support needs.
Clause B recognises that with an aging population, the neighbourhood plan should 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, it has been adopted through planning policy in a number of locations, 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.