Currently national guidelines indicate that 25% of all developments over 10 houses must be affordable but Brighton & Hove City Council has been pushing for some time for this figure to be raised to 40%. This is the percentage that they have included in the emerging Local Plan but it was rejected by the Local Plan Inspector who upheld the 25% figure except in exceptional circumstances in which case it could be increased to 30% (see earlier stories in the knowledgebase).

The City Council has lost several cases at appeal where they have held out for 40% from a developer only willing to give 25%. Where the local authority owns the land it can make 40% a condition of development and in other cases it relies upon voluntary agreements to provide 40% e.g. Brighton Marina outer harbour (see earlier story in the Knowledgebase).

Developers and their agents argue that imposing 40% is counterproductive because developers simply decline to build any houses at all in Brighton &Hove preferring other locations where there is no question about the provision of affordable housing in excess of 25%. Because the South East Plan replaces RPG9 which is the development guidance for the entire region, the adoption of a 40% policy in the SEP would level the playing field.

The Brighton & Hove Economic Partnership (BHEP) is conducting a series of consultation meetings to prepare its response to the SEP. If you would like more information contact Tony Mernagh on 01273 735062 or mernagh@btconnect.com.

Click on the download below for a copy of the notes from the meeting. The views expressed are those of the participants and not necessarily of the BHEP.

Click here to download SEP Consultation Meeting notes 01.03.05