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0024 2026/27
25/09/2026
Stronger Communities
Bold and Lea Green
Local Lettings Policy - new homes at Ibstock Mews, Chester Lane
To approve a Local Lettings Policy for new homes for social rent at Ibstock Mews, Chester Lane in the ward of Bold & Lea Green
To seek approval for a Local Lettings Policy (LLP) which will support the creation of a sustainable community and give priority to existing local residents for first lettings of 21 new homes at a site at Ibstock Mews, Chester Lane.
To seek approval for a Local Lettings Policy (LLP) which will support the creation of a sustainable community and give priority to existing local residents for first lettings of 21 new homes at the Ibstock Mews, Chester Lane. A new development of 21 homes at the Ibstock Mews, Chester Lane site will shortly be completed. Onward Homes are the social landlord. It will provide 13 x 2 bedroom houses and 8 x 3 bedroom houses all for social rent. The homes will be occupied by families. First lettings are expected to be made in November 2026. Homes will be let using the Under One Roof choice based lettings system as usual other than that the terms of the LLP will apply to the lettings alongside the Council's allocation policy. A LLP will support Onward Homes in its intention to achieve a sustainable community with residents who have a mix of employment status and circumstances, typical of more longstanding neighbourhoods. The aim is to identify tenants who will settle and contribute to the local community both socially and economically which is harder to achieve if very high percentages of residents are not economically active. The statutory basis which allows an LLP is Section 166A(6)(B) of the Housing Act 1996. This enables housing authorities to allocate particular accommodation to people of a particular description, whether or not they fall within reasonable preference categories, provided that overall the authority is able to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of section 166A(3). This allows local lettings policies to be used to achieve a wide variety of housing management and policy objectives. The LLP for the new homes on the Ibstock Mews site uses two lettings criteria which seek to: 1) reflect the mix of economic activity found in most established neighbourhoods. 2) bring continuity by allowing families with existing links to the locality to access suitable housing in their community. The details of the criteria are as follows: Letting criteria 1) - 43% (9) of the homes will be allocated to applicants who are in settled/permanent (12 months+ contract) employment for 16 hours or more each week or full-time education/training and can evidence affordability in line with the Council’s allocation policy. Letting criteria 2) - 29% (4) of the homes will be allocated to applicants who have a local connection to the ward of Bold & Lea Green. In the event that either there are insufficient bids from applicants with a local connection who meet the minimum quota for applicants in employment, education or training or the stated local connection criteria, applicants from the wider borough of St Helens will be considered. The policy will be in operation for 12 months from the commencement of the first tenancy at the development and then subject to review, amendment, or withdrawal. Consultation has taken place with the Ward Councillors in the ward listed above.
The inclusion of a local letting criteria which prioritises people needing affordable rented housing in the ward of Bold & Lea Green will benefit local residents of this area in achieving high quality, affordable homes. A LLP will contribute to local community cohesion and the goal of sustainable neighbourhoods.
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Please contact Lee Norman on 01744 676230
