A CONSULTATION is being launched into a plan that will set a cap on the number of new homes that can be built in and around Tenbury.

Councillors are to be asked to approve the launch of the first of four consultations on planning documents supporting the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).

Residents and other interested parties will be asked for their views on guidelines for the building of affordable housing in south Worcestershire between now and 2030.

They will be asked to give their views on the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document, designed to help developers, land owners and other interested parties who hope to build affordable housing under policies outlined in the plan.

It proposes that most new housing developments should include a proportion of affordable housing, such as shared ownership or rented accommodation normally managed by housing associations.

The Supplementary Planning Document will give detailed guidance on this, covering issues such as whether flats or houses should be built, how many bedrooms should be included and the circumstances in which developers will have to make a financial contribution towards affordable housing being built away from their own developments.

Planning committees of the three councils preparing the SWDP – Malvern Hills, Worcester City and Wychavon – will each meet in the next few weeks to approve the launch of the consultation. If it gets the backing of all three, the consultation will start on March 4 and last for six weeks.

It is based on extensive evidence and previous consultations and has been jointly prepared by the three partner councils – Malvern Hills, Worcester City and Wychavon.

During that time responses to the consultation can be made at www.swdevelopmentplan.org and printed copies of the consultation forms will also be available at customer service centres and libraries.