DELIVERING AFFORDABLE HOUSING - LAW, ECONOMICS AND PLANNING POLICY

The aim of this article is to examine the progress of planning policy for affordable housing provision in Britain. Since the late 1980s a framework to allow local authorities to secure an affordable housing contribution from private developers seeking planning permission has been in place. However, this framework is subject to severe legal and economic constraints. Some commentators have questioned the legality of this use of planning law; furthermore, the type of policies applied by local authorities fundamentally affects the financial viability of development. The article examines these legal and economic parameters before outlining the recent policy practice of local authorities and its success in delivering affordable housing. Finally, some conclusions are drawn on the future prospects of these policies.