Guildford Local Plan and CIL Viability

At independent examination, we will be required to demonstrate that the draft new Local Plan is capable of being delivered. We must therefore consider how the policy requirements of the draft local plan and other planning requirements would impact on the viability of planned developments. The following supporting documents provide evidence in this regard.

The Guildford Local Plan Viability Update 2017 [1.4MB]  focuses on assessing the Guildford Borough Proposed Submission Local Plan: strategy and sites (June 2017) incorporating policy changes (from the version consulted on in the summer of 2016) where there may be a viability impact on the future delivery of this emerging Local Plan. This update follows on from the previous Local Plan viability testing (the Local Plan and CIL Viability Study, 2016 as per below) with a specific focus on the impacts of the Proposed Submission Local Plan, 2017. As this is a supplementary report, it is advisable that it be read in conjunction with the earlier study.

The  Local Plan and CIL Viability Study, 2016 [1.74MB] summarises the assessment of a range of residential development scenarios, as well as mixed-use schemes and non-residential developments. It also considers the viability of strategic development sites identified in the draft Local Plan. The study provides advice on the viability of the requirements of the Proposed Submission Local Plan: strategy and sites, consulted on in the summer of 2016.

The Local Plan and CIL Viability Study 2016 and the Local Plan Viability Update, 2017 replace our previous Local Plan and Affordable Housing Viability Study and our Affordable Housing Viability Studies, which are available to view on our Historical evidence page.

The Viability Study also shows how planned development can contribute to the cost of providing and improving infrastructure to support it through the Community Infrastructure Levy and planning obligations.

The study recommends rates for our Community Infrastructure Levy that would not place delivery of the plan and its sites at risk.