Ministers launch consultations on developer contributions for affordable housing

• 5th June 2014
• Latest News
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• mkaplanning

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland and Environment Minister Mark H Durkan have launched public consultations on proposals that aim to increase the supply of affordable housing.

Developer contributions would require developers to provide a proportion of newly-proposed housing developments (over a certain threshold) as affordable housing. The DSD consultation on ‘Developer Contributions for Affordable Housing’, which can be found by clicking here, sets out the policy behind developer contributions and seeks the public’s views on the introduction of such a policy in Northern Ireland and on the suggested level of contribution.

The DOE consultation on the ‘Draft Planning Policy Statement 22 (PPS22) ‘Affordable Housing’, which can be found by clicking here, details how developer contributions could be delivered.

Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland said: “The timing of the introduction of a developer contributions scheme in Northern Ireland is crucial, and I have considered it carefully in light of the challenges recently faced by the construction industry. However, recent figures indicate that the housing market is beginning to recover and that buyers are returning. This is welcome news and is an opportune moment to consult regarding the introduction of developer contributions.”

Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan said: “There remains a huge demand for access to good quality affordable homes. This is evidenced by the significant numbers of people on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) Common Waiting List, some 41,000 individuals as of March 2013. I am committed to playing my part in addressing this problem head on.

“My Department’s draft PPS 22 aims to increase the provision of decent, affordable and sustainable housing to help meet this pressing housing need. In so doing they support the wider priorities of the Programme for Government, including the need to tackle disadvantage and improve health and wellbeing.”

Looking at the success of the scheme elsewhere, Minister McCausland continued: “Existing developer contribution schemes in both Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland have proven successful in providing additional housing units, often alongside new owner-occupied housing in mixed tenure communities. It provides an excellent route to allow government to deliver housing to match unmet need.”

Both Minister McCausland and Minister Durkan encouraged interested parties to participate in the consultation process. They said: “It is our hope that these proposals encourage debate among a wide range of bodies about the provision of appropriate and affordable housing in Northern Ireland. Whilst these consultations are separate they are running in parallel and responses will be shared between both departments. We look forward to seeing the responses on this important issue.”

Both consultations will close on 26 August 2014.

Notes to editors:

1. DSD’s consultation is available at on the Department for Social Development Website or by phoning the Department’s Housing Affordability Team on 028 9082 9273.

2. Draft Planning Policy Statement 22 (PPS22) requires planning authorities to secure a developer contribution toward affordable housing in accordance with DSD’s Housing Policy for development proposals containing five housing units or more. DOE’s consultation Draft PPS22 ‘Affordable Housing’ may be accessed here.
 
3. Both consultations should be considered alongside each other. DSD and DOE are working together to ensure a joined-up approach to these separate but parallel consultations, and will be sharing consultation responses received.

4. The exact level of contribution will be subject to the requirement of the developer to make a profit and will be informed by economic viability modelling, the Housing Growth Indicator and the regional housing needs assessment.

5. Media enquiries for DSD should be directed to the DSD Press Office on 028 9082 9454 or e-mail press.office@dsdni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.

6. Media enquiries for DOE should be directed to the DOE Press Office on 028 90256058. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

 

Source: See Planning Service Website