Responding to a report from the Audit Commission claiming that local authorities could derive more benefits from developers, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation Stewart Baseley said:
“It is certainly the case that the current Section 106 agreements can lead to delay and uncertainty in the development control process. Any guidance which encourages more speedy and efficient processing of planning obligations by local authorities is therefore to be welcomed.”
“A number of mitigating factors, including low-land value and significant pre-development costs, or the small scale of schemes, mean that some developments quite reasonably do not have Section 106 agreements.”
“Most larger sites already have Section 106 agreements, and placing extra burdens on developments could reduce the viability of housing schemes, and thus have an unwelcome adverse effect on the supply of new housing.”
Notes for Editors
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal trade federation for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for over 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies. www.hbf.co.uk
The Audit Commission’s report “Securing Community Benefits through the Planning Process” is published on Thursday 3rd August, and is available at: http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/
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