Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether planned changes related to viability assessments will include the introduction of a standard methodology for such assessments.
Viability assessments play an important role in making sure that both plans and individual proposals are deliverable.
However the use of viability assessments to inform the negotiation of section 106 planning obligations can add complexity and uncertainty to the planning process, leading to delays.
In September the Government consulted on proposals to simplify the viability assessment process and create more certainty about the contributions developers are expected to make.
The consultation asked what factors should be taking into account in updating national planning guidance, to encourage viability assessments to be simpler, quicker and more transparent, for example through a standardised report.
The consultation has now closed and we are currently analysing the responses. A further announcement will be made in due course.