NPPF Viability Test Hinders Affordable Homes Provision

72 per cent of councils believe the viability test in the National Planning Policy Framework hinders their ability to provide social and affordable housing. Only 11 per cent of those surveyed for a report on housing need published by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) and the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) considered that the test would provide the numbers of homes needed. The survey of council leaders, chief executives, heads of planning, heads of housing and heads of finance said 96 per cent of councils describe their need for affordable housing as “severe” or “moderate”. Only seven per cent thought that the government’s starter homes initiative would help address affordable housing. Read more on the APSE website.