Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (PDF 736 KB)

Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document
Appendix 6 Council Brief to Independent Valuer to Agree Viability
Issues
Suggested draft Brief to an independent Surveyor:
As part of viability considerations, the emphasis is to verify that all possible forms, types, mix and
tenures of affordable housing have been properly considered and assessed as part of a comprehensive
feasibility study.
Dear XXXXX
Re: Planning application XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I am enclosing details of the above planning application. We are seeking your scrutiny, confirmation,
and recommendations to include:
Valuation for the finished scheme
Valuation of any assets on site and the total build cost
Consideration of all relevant planning obligations
Proposals to provide affordable housing
Conclusion on profitability
The applicant is suggesting that there is an adverse impact on overall scheme cost viability and, as
a consequence, has asked the Council to reduce the proportion of affordable housing / exclude the
provision of affordable housing.
There is a range of different options for the inclusion of affordable housing, and opportunities for
including it should form an intrinsic part of the scheme costs for viability purposes. It is acknowledged
that some forms of affordable housing may have a significant impact on overall costs, but conversely
there are forms of affordable housing where there is a minimal differential between costs and
profitability.
Your assessment of viability should be tested, in some detail, against the different forms of affordable
housing that might satisfy the Council’s policies. Comment should be made on the assumptions that
have been used, and your recommendations made in relation to each.
I am enclosing guidance about the different forms of affordable housing that the Council will consider.
This information is also available on the Council’s website at http://www.stroud.gov.uk and can be
found quickly by typing "Affordable Housing" into the search box.
The FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) entitled “What is Meant By Affordable Housing” includes
worked examples and is useful and relevant to Landowners, Developers, and their advisors.
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Stroud District Council