Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
11
Conclusion
3rd Report - Delivering 1.5 million new…
Deferred
Too often, site-specific viability assessments are used by developers to negotiate down affordable housing requirements in circumstances where this is completely unjustifiable. Affordable housing contributions are frequently the first provision to be cut following a viability assessment, even where a developer may be making other significant contributions through Section 106 …
Read more
Too often, site-specific viability assessments are used by developers to negotiate down affordable housing requirements in circumstances where this is completely unjustifiable. Affordable housing contributions are frequently the first provision to be cut following a viability assessment, even where a developer may be making other significant contributions through Section 106 agreements and CIL. In areas with high land values, viability assessments should only be used in this way in very exceptional circumstances. Currently, not all local authorities have their affordable housing requirements clearly set out in local policy. Greater clarity from local authorities would provide developers with the right incentives to avoid lengthy viability negotiations, and ensure more applications are meeting local affordable housing requirements from the outset. (Conclusion, Paragraph 70) 63
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government deferred responding to the point about site-specific viability assessments until Spring 2026, when it plans to issue a full response to the New Towns Taskforce’s report.
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
15
Recommendation
3rd Report - Delivering 1.5 million new…
Deferred
The Ministry must publish an interactive map of CIL coverage on its website, updated quarterly to include the rates charged in each local authority in England. Publishing a national map would support the housing sector to navigate different charging schedules across local authorities; would enable greater public scrutiny of the …
Read more
The Ministry must publish an interactive map of CIL coverage on its website, updated quarterly to include the rates charged in each local authority in England. Publishing a national map would support the housing sector to navigate different charging schedules across local authorities; would enable greater public scrutiny of the variations between local planning 64 authorities; and would allow the Government to demonstrate how any future reforms to CIL are improving coverage and infrastructure outcomes. (Recommendation, Paragraph 80)
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government deferred action by noting that initial engagement on the early adopter program has begun and that they will agree on an ambitious timeline for the delivery of the early adopter program and wider rollout of place based business cases in due course.
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
20
Recommendation
3rd Report - Delivering 1.5 million new…
Deferred
Whilst the Government’s plan to allow all mayors of strategic authorities to charge Mayoral CIL is a welcome step towards greater fiscal devolution, the Government must go further to support local leaders with revenue raising powers to deliver infrastructure and housing. In particular, the Government should enable greater use of …
Read more
Whilst the Government’s plan to allow all mayors of strategic authorities to charge Mayoral CIL is a welcome step towards greater fiscal devolution, the Government must go further to support local leaders with revenue raising powers to deliver infrastructure and housing. In particular, the Government should enable greater use of Tax Increment Financing—a model which has delivered successfully in London—to fund infrastructure in cities and in New Towns. (Recommendation, Paragraph 103)
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government defers a full response on financing models, including Tax Increment Financing, to Spring 2026 as part of the New Towns Taskforce's report, but states they are exploring different financing models used previously and will give new powers to Mayoral Authorities to raise revenue.
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
28
Recommendation
3rd Report - Delivering 1.5 million new…
Deferred
In response to this Report, the Government must provide a timeline for when it will launch its pilot projects using place-based business cases, and when the new model will be rolled out nationally. It must also set out how it will ensure the Green Book reforms will see the benefits …
Read more
In response to this Report, the Government must provide a timeline for when it will launch its pilot projects using place-based business cases, and when the new model will be rolled out nationally. It must also set out how it will ensure the Green Book reforms will see the benefits of the New Towns programme realised across England, including in regions with lower potential land value uplifts. (Recommendation, Paragraph 122) 67 Delivering 1.5 million new homes
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states initial engagement on the early adopter programme has already begun and an ambitious timeline will be agreed for the delivery of the early adopter programme and wider rollout of place based business cases in due course. Value for money assessments will adopt …
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
30
Conclusion
3rd Report - Delivering 1.5 million new…
Deferred
Sector representatives have expressed doubt as to whether the target will be achievable by July 2029, and Ministers have themselves described the 1.5 million target as “stretching” and “hugely ambitious”. The Government was right to set an ambitious target, but this must be supported with a clear Strategy to meet …
Read more
Sector representatives have expressed doubt as to whether the target will be achievable by July 2029, and Ministers have themselves described the 1.5 million target as “stretching” and “hugely ambitious”. The Government was right to set an ambitious target, but this must be supported with a clear Strategy to meet that target. Further delays to the Strategy risk jeopardising the Ministry’s headline policy objective. (Conclusion, Paragraph 141)
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government will publish a Long-Term Housing Strategy shortly, bringing together reforms undertaken since July 2024.
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government