INNOVATION IN HOUSING & PLANNING Levvel About Us Private Sector Public Sector Case Studies Testimonials News & Views FAQs Contact Seminars International CURRENT NEWS V Non housing land - new viability study by Levvel ... more     V David Cameron announces plan to end lifetime council tenancies ... more     V Social housing waiting lists could swell by half a million ... more     V Raynsford appointed Olympics homes company chairman ... more     V Anxiety over government's housing revolution ... more     V Further Viability Study Secured by Levvel in Stafford ... more     V Scottish private sector housebuilding at 30-year low ... more     V Cuts threaten housing with arrested development ... more     V Impact of Government spending review on the HCA ... more     V Boris warns Conservatives to maintain affordable housing investment ... more     V Gaining ground - Planning article Levvel's response ... more V Darlington Borough Council appoints Levvel to provide viability appraisal ... more 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     Success for Levvel at Poole core strategy examination in public February 2009 The report on the examination of the Poole Core Strategy was published on 28 January 2009 with Inspector David Fenton recommending important changes are made to policy before ruling it sound. Levvel had appeared on behalf of the Home Builders Federation and McCarthy and Stone Ltd with a remit to challenge policy based on an insufficient evidence base. Levvel questioned the robustness of a viability study that did not take into account the economics of provision on sites under 6 units, failed to account for the costs associated with the requirement for Lifetime and Sustainable Homes Codes and did not fully support a 40% policy target for affordable housing. Mr Fenton made substantial changes to policy on the basis that requirements for Lifetime Homes and Sustainable Homes were not robustly justified through the evidence base and as such policy should only offer "general encouragement". He also required the threshold at which affordable housing is imposed to be set at 6 units, moving away from the Council's initial requirement that all residential development contribute to the affordable housing target. Furthermore, it was recognised that the 40% figure be referred to as a "benchmark" and that viability issues may mean this is unachievable. The Inspector recognised that the policy need take have regard to existing use values, important when developing sites with an extant residential use. Given market deterioration since the viability assessment was carried out in July 2008, and the mandatory requirement that new residential development meet certain elements of the Code for Sustainable Homes from 2010, Levvel believes that viability will be impinged upon further as time passes. The Council intend to make available a toolkit for the assessment of viability. As experts in the site specific application of these models, Levvel is available to assist in submitting robust assessments to ensure viability is maintained. Please call Greg Hilton on 01202 639444 to discuss your requirements.

CONTACT HEAD OFFICE Tel:+44 (0)1202 639444 Email: click here NEWS & VIEWS V Non housing land - new viability study by Levvel ... more >> V David Cameron announces plan to end lifetime council tenancies ... more >> LEVVEL IN THE FUTURE Levvel will be expanding and evolving their services as a response to the economic climate and as a consequence of the changed political situation. We will launch the new services and updated website in the summer. As new housing and planning policies emerge, we will be hosting more regional seminars, starting in the South West. pre-register for seminars >> CAREERS We are always looking for new talent to join our team of consultants ... more >>

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