CIH response to Reform’s proposals on reforming planning law

CIH has responded to proposals from Reform UK to scrap affordable housing requirements for developers on brownfield sites outside of a few select cities.  

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has announced plans to radically reform planning law and get rid of the requirements on developers to provide affordable homes as part of developments. 

Developer contributions (or Section 106 agreements) are an essential route to delivering the affordable homes we need. Historically they have delivered almost half of all new affordable housing. We know that viability has increasingly become a factor in development decisions in recent years, but scrapping affordable housing requirements should not be the first point of call.

We need more, not less affordable housing across the country and section 106 agreements can work positively for all stakeholders within the process. CIH has recently worked with sector partners to highlight how collaboration and early engagement can ensure that homes are delivered on time, be financially viable and meet the needs of local areas. The new guidance developed with the housing sector and the House Builders Federation shows what can be done to deliver homes across all tenures and we urge all political parties to support that work. 

Megan Hinch, policy manager at CIH said: "An affordable home gives families battling the current cost of living pressures the certainty and security to get on with their lives without worrying about how to pay the rent or where they may need to move to next. With too many people stuck in temporary, overcrowded or unsuitable homes, and unable to afford the private rented sector, building new affordable homes has never been more necessary. Abolishing affordable housing contributions from private developments is a backward step and will only make the housing crisis worse for those on low incomes.”