William Eichler 12 May 2016

Court upholds Whitehall’s affordable housing contributions plans

A court has ruled in favour of the Government’s small sites affordable housing contributions policy.

The policy was introduced in November 2014 and was designed to ensure the burden of affordable housing contributions did not fall on small-scale developers, and custom- and self-builders.

It created a national threshold of ten units or fewer beneath which affordable housing contributions should not be sought.

West Berkshire District and Reading Borough councils brought legal proceedings against the Government to challenge the policy, but the Court of Appeal ruled against them.

Housing minister Brandon Lewis, who described the court case as ‘a total waste of taxpayers’ money’, welcomed the decision.

Mr Lewis said: ‘We’re committed to building more homes, including record numbers of affordable homes – key to this is removing unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy that prevents builders getting on sites in the first place.

‘Today’s judgment by the Court of Appeal restores common sense to the system, and ensures that those builders developing smaller sites – including self-builders - don’t face costs that could stop them from building any homes at all.

‘This will now mean that builders developing sites of fewer than 10 homes will no longer have to make an affordable homes contribution that should instead fall to those building much larger developments.’

‘This case was a total waste of taxpayers’ money and the uncertainty the case created amongst housebuilders stalled new development from coming through,’ he added.

Responding to the court’s decision, a spokesperson for the councils said: ‘West Berkshire and Reading Council’s are naturally disappointed by this result.

‘We are reviewing this verdict and currently considering our options as a matter of priority with regard to appeal. Until such time as we have determined how we intend to proceed, it would not be appropriate to comment further.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term Time

Essex County Council
£25821.00 - £30377.00 per annum + + Pension
Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term TimePermanent, Part Time£30,377 per annum, full time equivalent / equal to £15.74 per hour.Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Urban Design Intern

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Assistant Urban Design InternFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - Safeguarding Team

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - ASC Centralised Safeguarding TeamFixed Term, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Financial Strategy Manager (Revenue)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we invest in our borough's future.Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we inves England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Team Manager - Locality

Wakefield Council
£55,979.00, Grade 13
Wakefield Children’s Services have been rated by Ofsted as GOOD with outstanding leadership. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner