Most new build sites are 'required' to have a certain number of 'affordable' houses over here too. It's usually a condition of planning permission to erect the houses. Unfortunately, what exactly constitutes 'affordable' never seems to be specified, and as many of the houses will be four and five bedrooms at upwards of £600k, pricing a few three bedroomed builds at £350k looks 'affordable' until you realise it really isn't.
A housing estate was proposed in the town near my village. It was turned down on the grounds that the school isn't big enough, there's not enough doctor provision or facilities. So they simply applied for planning permission continually, every few months, and in the end it was granted, despite there STILL not being a big enough school or any doctor provision. It seems that, for large building firms, planning permission is merely a formality.
There are a few new build estates in south Lancs/Greater Manchester like this - entirely cut off and car dependent. No thought whatsoever regarding public transport, Dr's surgeries, schools, etc.
I'm not a fan of this kind of thing and see them becoming the rejects/problem areas of the future.
As for the housing association/council percentage - no one wants to purchase a house next or adjacent to them, thinking it will devalue their own property, or that cars on bricks and random sofas with turn up on the public green. It's a shame really, because housing estates and communities in general tend to thrive better with resident economic diversity. I'd probably thank the tabloids for shaping the nation's social judgements and divisions on
that score....and if you have lived with *problem neighbours, you won't be tempted back!
A healthy balance between class and income
can foster a more tolerant and cared for community, ie, not becoming a ghetto.
Easier said than done, I admit.
* And this is such a shame really, because I am sure most people in HA or council housing just want to live a decent life, and don't deserve the stigma. It probably doesn't help that many local councils reserve their stock for problem tenants moved on from other wards, as opposed to a diverse collection of lower income families and those awaiting the purchase of their own home (ie, the original intention of council housing, which welcomed doctors, factory workers and single parent's struggling to get on their feet).
Obviously,
that particular utopia went to hell in a handbasket, fast.