7 Development Costs
Development Costs
7.1 The Council would not normally consider the identification of abnormal development costs justification for not providing affordable housing. Such costs, which are normally associated with the development of brownfield sites, should be reflected in the land values.
7.2 Where developers are of the opinion that the viability of the scheme is at risk, the Council will require submission of a full Financial Appraisal of the whole development as part of the assessment of the affordable housing contribution. The viability assessment will be undertaken by a third party independent appraiser who will provide the Council with a summary report setting out the position regarding viability and the profit margin of the proposed development. The developer will be expected to fund this task (see paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3).
7.3 Planning services will view the requirement for affordable housing in the context of the need to secure other planning obligations in respect of, for example, economic, employment and regeneration objectives.