Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

5.4.7 Development viability modelling work has been carried out for thevarious housing markets in Gravesham 23 . This shows that there aredevelopment viability issues in the areas of the Borough proposed fordevelopment, particularly regeneration sites in the Gravesend / Northfleeturban area. The viability of development largely depends on: the amount ofremedial work which needs to be carried out; the density of development; andthe amount of affordable housing sought. Development viability will be takeninto account when setting out the infrastructure required from newdevelopments.5.4.8 Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 allows localauthorities to enter into a legally binding agreement, or planning obligation,with a person with an interest in the land in order to make a developmentacceptable before planning permission is granted. These agreements areincreasingly used to support the provision of services and infrastructure wheredevelopments create additional demands for infrastructure, such astransportation, education, health and affordable housing (see policy CS16 foraffordable housing requirements). They must be:• necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms;• directly related to the development; and• fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the development.5.4.9 The Government has introduced regulations which allow local planningauthorities to charge developers a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Thisis a standard, locally set charge which is intended to provide infrastructure tosupport the development of an area. Its purpose is to provide greatertransparency and certainty to developers about the amount of money they willbe expected to contribute. There will still be a role for planning obligations tobe used for site specific mitigation measures.5.4.10 The Council's strategy is to seek the retention of existing facilitieswherever possible. It will also work in partnership with infrastructure providersto address existing deficits in provision. This may be achieved through makingbetter use of existing facilities. To ensure that infrastructure is provided to23 Affordable Housing Viability Study February 2010140