INNOVATION IN HOUSING & PLANNING Levvel About Us Private Sector Public Sector Case Studies Testimonials News & Views FAQs Contact Seminars CURRENT NEWS V January Housing Update ... more V Levvel commences work on new sub regional viability study! ... more V Pre Budget Report ... more V Levvel really enjoyed the Cobham half-day seminar ... more V Levvel's approach in Wokingham gets approval from The Planning Inspectorate ... more V Levvel seminar - a big hit with developers and land owners ... more V Levvel launches a series of seminars ... more V Levvel completes study for Fareham Borough Council ... more V Levvel completes study for Waveney District Council ... more V Levvel speak at international housing conference ... more V Funding concerns for affordable housing ... more V Robust viability assessment upheld at recent appeals ... more V Levvel secures major international contract ... more V Levvel selected to advise on viability in Stafford ... more V Levvel appointed for viability study in Manchester ... more V Success for Levvel at Poole core strategy examination in public ... more V Affordable housing planning conditions ... more V Appeal court outlines need for viability assessments ... more V Levvel completes Wokingham affordable housing viability study... more V Local Spatial Planning and PPS12 ... more V Lifetimes homes ... more V CIL ... more V Withdrawal of paper on valuation of affordable housing land in Scotland ... more V Ecotowns ... more V Intermediate Housing and the downturn ... more V Levvel wins Wokingham affordable housing viability study ... more V Levvel opens new London Office ... more     January Housing Update January 2010 A belated Happy New Year to you all. We are starting to see signs of increased activity in the housing market and hope you are too. Today’s announcement from the Office for National Statistics confirming the UK's longest and deepest recession has finally come to an end is a positive signal. It seems that the issue of housing has slipped off the political radar at the moment which means that the current planning policy framework for affordable housing grinds on down the viability route. As we have explained in previous emails, this means that some Councils are seeking unrealistic targets for affordable housing given the current market downturn and thus by default the majority of planning applications now need to be supported with a viability appraisal. This trend is likely to continue with the Government’s adoption of the Community Infrastructure Levy in April of this year. The consequence of this process means that land values and developer profit are being determined and, in some cases, capped by local government. An ongoing example of this is Bournemouth who have released a draft SPD on Affordable Housing (consultation ends 28th January). We have completed a detailed representation (download as PDF) to assist everyone when dealing with planning negotiations on viability generally. In essence, Bournemouth propose: 1. Only allowing the use of one type of viability model (but refusing to allow anyone to scrutinise the model before adoption) 2. Capping developer profits at an unrealistic level, bearing in mind the current market downturn 3. Fixing land values to an uplift of 15% on existing/alternative use value, despite contrary consultation responses from land owners and developers I am sure you will agree with us that this is an SPD which could stop development in its tracks. There has to be another way! We work for private and public sector clients and we believe that both sides need a workable policy. For a start, how about realistic current day targets being set and reviewed regularly through SPD? Think of the time saved in planning negotiations! We have other thoughts on why we believe the planning system is getting it wrong, which we will share over the coming months – in the meantime, please let us know your thoughts, because the industry needs to voice these higher level concerns to the incoming government! Here’s to a challenging but interesting 2010!

CONTACT HEAD OFFICE Tel:+44 (0)1202 639444 Email: click here NEWS & VIEWS V January Housing Update ... more >> V Levvel commences work on new sub regional viability study! ... more >> LEVVEL SEMINARS Levvel are hosting a series of half-day seminars to discuss the emerging government practice which could substantially devalue the residential land you buy. Our next seminar will be announced shortly. more >> CAREERS We are always looking for new talent to join our team of consultants ... more >>

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