Ealing’s current Core Strategy was adopted in April 2012. A new draft local plan has been in the works for sometime and is currently at Regulation 22.
Below, we discuss the main change that is to be implemented in the new Local Plan Affordable Housing policy.
New Lower Threshold
Most importantly, a new threshold for small sites of 1-4 and 5-9 dwellings will be introduced in this Local Plan. This requires a financial contribution in lieu of affordable housing.
Depending on the number of units proposed, a 10-20% financial contribution will be sought. This is usually based on gross number of dwellings.
However, the new provisions are subject to viability, so we can assist.
The new lower threshold is at odds with the NPPF’s guidance that such contributions should not be sought on non-major developments; however, unfortunately more and more councils are adopting these low thresholds on the basis of need.
This often renders the smallest schemes unviable and deliverable, as they do not benefit from the economies of scale of larger schemes.
The adoption of the new Ealing Local Plan will have considerable affordable housing delivery and viability implications.
We are not yet sure of the date for Local Plan to be implemented, so if you have a scheme of under 10 units which will be impacted by this new policy requirement, don’t hesitate to get your application in now!
Get in touch today to see if we can help.
