Public Servant Lifestyle

Opening the door to more affordable homes for vital public sector workers.

Changes to planning rules could open the door to more affordable homes for public servant 'keyworkers'.

A new housing planning system aims to put an end to negotiated deals, behind closed doors, between developers and local authorities.

Replacing the old arrangements - criticised by the government's Committee on Standards in Public Life - will be an open and simpler community benefit policy, that sets out clearly the 'community contribution' developers will be asked to make, if planning permission is granted.

The provision of affordable homes is expected to be the main beneficiary of this approach, with commercial developers contributing, as well as housebuilders. One option suggested (in a consultation document) is that local planning authorities be allowed to allocate sites solely for affordable housing, where there is a clear need. The planning tariffs could then be used to finance the provision.

Development Pressures

"Development pressures, in some areas, are placing heavy burdens on the existing infrastructure, and especially on the supply of affordable housing for nurses, teachers, police officers and other key workers," said Stephen Byers, secretary of state for transport, local government and the regions. "Everyone agrees this is a very serious problem, that we need to tackle.

"Developers buying a piece of land currently have little idea of what a local authority might demand, in return for planning permission. Local authorities, in turn, sometimes don't know what to ask for. It makes purchases very risky.

"With these new proposals, developers will know exactly what they will be required to pay, before submitting a planning application, saving time, and tortuous negotiations. Planning obligation negotiations are often slow, and in private, leading to charges of impropriety, secrecy, and a lack of public involvement".

Under the new arrangements, developments that are very small, financially marginal - such as a development of an urban brownfield site - or which promote sustainable development, would be subject to a low, or nil tariff. Household developments (like home extensions) would be excluded, and small businesses could pay a reduced fee, or the tariff could be on a sliding scale.

Tarrifs

Tariffs will be determined at the local level, in consultation with local businesses and local people. Each local planning authority would be required to set out the details of the standard tariff, and how it will be spent in its local development framework.

More information available in Incentives & Rewards, Moving Home