Draft A27 Chichester Bypass Mitigation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) Version 2 - May 2024
6.0 Development Viability
6.1 The guidance below is reproduced from paragraphs 3.6 to 3.12 of the 2016 SPD for the convenience of applicants.
6.2 In certain circumstances, it may be considered that the viability of a scheme is jeopardised due to site constraints or other factors and that this would justify a reduction in the amount of affordable housing or other planning obligations. It is recommended in such cases that applicants seek pre-application advice from the Local Planning Authority prior to the formal submission of a planning application.
6.3 Viability assessments to be submitted as evidence in negotiations must be capable of independent expert verification carried out by a qualified (RICS) surveyor/valuer. Any abnormal or exceptional development costs should be supported with robust and costed specialist reports and technical data.
6.4 Where viability is affected by large costs associated with bringing a heritage asset back into beneficial use, any enabling development and/or costs of the repairs will need to be supported with robust and costed specialist reports and technical data, sufficient to enable independent expert verification.
6.5 Where required, and at the Council's discretion, independent qualified RICS surveyor/valuers with specialist skills will be appointed by the Council to investigate the whole, or selected elements of submitted viability assessments. Any expenditure incurred by the Council in carrying out external verification of financial viability appraisals and assessing evidence must be reimbursed by the Applicant. Prior to instructing an external report and to ensure value for money and meet due diligence obligations, the Council will either appoint the District Valuer or obtain three cost limited estimates from appropriately qualified valuers/surveyors who are capable of acting on the matter without a conflict of interest, and agree the external expert with the applicant. The applicant will be required to provide a written undertaking to cover the costs before the valuer is appointed. Viability reports will be shared with the applicants.
6.6 Where such reports result in conflicts of opinion necessitating additional work and fees, supplementary undertakings to reimburse the Council will be sought. Any disputes between the Council and the applicant will be referred to an independent arbitrator (in accordance with RICS guidance).
6.7 Financial viability evidence will usually be required to reflect current day values and costs. Where proposals include phases of development that are expected to come forward over a number of years, assessments will be required to take account of projected changes in the value of development, or costs. Appropriate mechanisms may be required within s106 agreements to address the consequences of such changes over time.
6.8 RICS guidance, Financial Viability in Planning 2012[8] provides more detailed guidance on current approaches to viability assessment in the planning context and appropriate methodologies.
[8] This has in part been updated through Financial Viability in Planning: Conduct and Reporting (RICS, May 2019).
