Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Development Economics Study Final Report July 2010 Dr Andrew Golland, BSc (Hons), PhD, MRICS
[email protected] Three Dragons Addendum Further to the commencement of this study, Regional Spatial Strategies have been revoked. References to the East of England Plan and the Regional Spatial Strategy have been retained within the report as this was the planning policy context when the study was undertaken. Welwyn Hatfield BC Development Economics Study – May 2010 Page 2 1 INTRODUCTION Review of project aims 1.1 Welwyn Hatfield BC, in conjunction with Hertsmere DC and St Albans District Council, appointed Three Dragons (AG) in 2009 to undertake a Development Economics Study (DES) to examine the economic viability of land for housing development in the area The project brief explained that the DES will be used by the Councils to inform the development of policies in Core Strategies and other Local Development Documents. 1.2 The DES was specifically required to examine the opportunities to deliver affordable housing in each of the local authority areas. It was also required to take account of other existing policy objectives (or possible future objectives) such as the achievement of sustainable building standards, Lifetime Homes and contributions that may be sought towards physical, social or green infrastructure through planning obligations (or a potential Community Infrastructure Levy). 1.3 This DES examines the viability of delivering affordable housing by considering a range of possible different policy options for new qualifying thresholds and percentages for requiring the provision of affordable housing. 1.4 Where relevant, account was also to be taken of relevant outputs from other studies, such as the Hertfordshire Infrastructure and Investment Strategy, Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments or Strategic Housing Market Assessments.