Initial equality impact assessment screening form This form records an equality screening process to determine the relevance of equality to a proposal, and a decision whether or not a full EIA would be appropriate or proportionate.
Directorate	Community Development
Service area	Regeneration
Proposal being screened	Broomfield’s Farm Eco-Homes Development
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Kerry Levitt
What are you proposing to do?	Delivery of 49 new build low carbon affordable homes in Whitby.
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	Whitby suffers from a lack of affordable homes for local people. The Broomfield’s Farm housing development aims to address this and is one of six priority projects to be delivered through the Whitby Town Deal programme which saw £17.1m total investment from central government into Whitby. Not only will the development be 100% affordable but it will also be low carbon with a reduction in emissions of up to 90% compared to a standard housing development. The proposed property mix for the Broomfield Farm site meets a range of identified local housing needs within Whitby, based on evidence from the Council’s Housing Register. In particular, the provision of 1 bed homes will help meet the needs of single persons and couples, for which there is currently a shortage of affordable homes locally, both in the social and private rented sector. The provision of a range of 2, 3 and 4 bed homes will meet the needs of local families, who are also affected by the lack of suitable affordable homes within the local area. As the development is situated close to both a primary school and a secondary school, it is in an ideal location for local families with school age children.
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	There is £2.6m of Whitby Towns Fund money allocated to the project, which is sufficient to cover the proposed approach to delivery. The project will be monitored by an assigned officer within the Regeneration North and East team as with all the Towns Fund projects. The service adequately resourced the team when the Towns Fund programme was announced. This does not impact on that resourcing.
Impact on people with any of the following protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, or NYC’s additional agreed characteristics As part of this assessment, please consider the following questions: · To what extent is this service used by particular groups of people with protected characteristics? · Does the proposal relate to functions that previous consultation has identified as important? · Do different groups have different needs or experiences in the area the proposal relates to? If for any characteristic it is considered that there is likely to be an adverse impact or you have ticked ‘Don’t know/no info available’, then a full EIA should be carried out where this is proportionate. You are advised to speak to your directorate representative for advice if you are in any doubt.
Protected characteristic		Potential for adverse impact				Don’t know/No info available
		Yes		No
Age				ü
Disability				ü
Sex				ü
Race				ü
Sexual orientation				ü
Gender reassignment				ü
Religion or belief				ü
Pregnancy or maternity				ü
Marriage or civil partnership				ü
People in rural areas				ü
People on a low income				ü
Carer (unpaid family or friend)				ü
Are from the Armed Forces Community				ü
Does the proposal relate to an area where there are known inequalities/probable impacts (for example, disabled people’s access to public transport)? Please give details.		The Broomfield’s Farm housing development is contained within the Streonshalh ward of Whitby which suffers from pockets of deprivation. Due its unique offering and rich heritage, Whitby is visited by millions of visitors each year. As a result, holiday let accommodations are increasing, private house prices are soaring and affordable housing for local people is in very short supply.  This project directly addresses the challenges of local housing affordability  by providing affordable housing giving local households on low incomes a chance to purchase their own home.
Will the proposal have a significant effect on how other organisations operate? (for example, partners, funding criteria, etc.). Do any of these organisations support people with protected characteristics? Please explain why you have reached this conclusion.		The project won’t have any effect on how other organisations operate.
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:	X		Continue to full EIA:
Reason for decision		The project addresses a need to provide homes for low-income people in Whitby. The homes are available to all local people regardless of characteristic.
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Kathryn Daly
Date		1/10/2024