Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance they have issued to planning authorities concerning the inclusion in permissions for housing schemes of a clause or clauses regarding the priority to be given to the construction of affordable dwellings.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. This is supported by planning practice guidance.

The NPPF recommends that local planning authorities plan for a diverse range of housing however it is their responsibility to determine affordable housing policies, and to assess planning applications accordingly. It is up to local authorities to determine their policies for affordable housing, and to determine their planning applications accordingly.

Where local policies indicate that affordable housing provision is necessary, Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requires developers to enter into obligations to provide affordable homes. These obligations must be fully justified and evidenced.