Local Connection Requirements

For some of our shared ownership homes, you may find a local connection to the area is required.

This generally applies in rural areas and small villages where land has been made available specifically for affordable housing to meet the needs of local people, rather than for private development.

These are known as ‘rural exception sites’ or 'protected areas' and are controlled by ‘Section 106 Agreements’. They aim to help local people and families afford homes in the area they currently live, work or have a family connection tp.

The local connection criteria can vary between different developments, but is usually based on the following:

• applicant was born in the area and has lived there for a number of years
• applicant has permanently lived in the area for a number of years
• applicant used to live in the area for a number of years but had to move away because of the lack of affordable housing
• applicant has been permanently employed in the area for a number of years
• The number of years is usually between 2 and 5, although this differs by local authority

Priority is usually given to applicants with a local connection to the parish. If there are still properties remaining, allocation will be opened up to surrounding parishes and then to the whole of the local authority area. This ensures that the homes are occupied by residents as local to the area as possible.

If you want to find out more about the local connection criteria for a particular development, or check if you qualify, please email sales@platformhg.com