Local List Glossary

When is this required?

• development proposals that do not meet the policy requirements set out in the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan for the delivery of affordable housing and infrastructure.

What information is required?

A comprehensive viability appraisal will be required, the approach to which should follow Government's guidance on viability and be prepared by an appropriately qualified person. 

An executive summary should be included with the comprehensive assessment. As a minimum it should set out the gross development value, benchmark land value including landowner premium, costs (in accordance with government guidance), and return to developer. Any applied assumptions should be clearly set out and justified. The Executive summary should additionally reference should refer back to the viability assessment that informed the plan and summarise what has changed since then. It should also set out the proposed developer contributions and how this compares with policy requirements.

A full, un-redacted viability assessment is required; it will be published in full in the same manner as other documents that form part of the application, except in exceptional circumstances, where the publication of certain specific information would harm the commercial confidentiality of the developer to non-public benefit. Applicants making a case for exceptional circumstances must provide a full justification as to the extent to which disclosure of a specific piece of information would cause an "adverse impact" and harm to the public interest that is not outweighed by the benefits of disclosure.

The assessment will normally be subject to independent verification, the charge for which will rest will the applicant.

Relevant Policy and reason for the document

North Devon and Torridge Local Plan 2011-2031: http://consult.torridge.gov.uk/portal/planning/localplan/adoption/

North Devon and Torridge Local Plan Policy ST18: Affordable Housing on Development Sites

North Devon and Torridge Local Plan Policy ST23: Infrastructure

National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 57: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2

National Planning Practice Guidance: Viability https://www.gov.uk/guidance/viability