Evidence Base for Planning Policy

In 2009 Harborough DC , in conjuction with Oadby and Wigston BC , Leicester City Council, Blaby DC and North West Leicestershire DC, appointed Three Dragons to prepare a joint Affordable Housing Viability Assessment. A Viability Assessment is required based on advice provided in Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (PPS3). This sets out the need for all Local Planning Authorities to set targets for affordable housing which reflect both housing need and an assessment of the economic viability of land for housing within their area, as well as the levels of finance available and the level of developer contributions that can be secured.

The completed Affordable Housing Viability Assessment forms part of the evidence base for the Local Development Framework and informs the development of Core Strategy Housing Policies. The Assessment provides:

• Advice on the most ambitious yet achievable and viable target(s) and threshold(s) for affordable housing which fully reflect the availability of a range of finance towards affordable housing and reflects priority infrastructure needs, in line with PPS3;
• A model with which the Council can assess any case for viability submitted by developers claiming that affordable housing target(s) render their scheme proposals unviable; and
• Advice on a simple to use and to up-to-date method of calculating how much commuted sum should be sought in lieu of on-site affordable housing provision.

The full document is available to view here.