Opinion: Leigh Daveran

Twenty years ago the Government recognized that developers had an obligation to contribute to the local community not only in terms of traditional infrastructure but also in terms of affordable housing provision (s106 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990).

Well publicised recent Government pledges aimed at kickstarting house building may help stimulate some activity but s106 planning requirements place such onerous requirements on private developers that, in the current market, it is causing land values to be so low that land owners are not freeing up land opportunities.

If the Government wishes to get anywhere near to achieving its housing and regeneration targets, as well as funding support schemes, it needs to take a more pragmatic approach to planning applications and, longer term, it is likely a complete new strategy of delivering community benefit is needed.

Local authorities will have a key role in sharing risk and developing the range of new models needed alongside s106 to maximise the supply of affordable housing while making best use of Government grant.