Development contributions

All councils are required to ensure at least some new housing is considered affordable.

Core Strategy Policy CS21: Affordable Housing (July 2011) sets out our target for the number of affordable homes we aim to deliver, and the level of affordable housing contribution expected to be provided where an increase in housing is proposed.

Where applicants have considered that the charge is disproportionate, we have requested that the relevant information setting out the scheme's viability is submitted for independent assessment as part of the planning application process, as set out in our Development Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Changes to take effect from 23 July 2025

Following a review of its approach to small sites (1-9 units), the council has determined that due to changes in circumstances, more weight ought to be attached to national policy (specifically National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) paragraph 65) than Policy CS21. 

These circumstances include: the publication of the Inspectors’ Initial Findings Letters (dated 11 September 2024) in respect of the draft Local Plan Examination in Public; the publication of the 2024 NPPF; and a review of our housing monitoring information including S106 agreements. 

Consequently, affordable housing contributions on small sites of less than 10 dwellings are no longer required. This applies to all relevant applications determined on or after 23 July 2025.  

In line with Policy CS21 and NPPF, a requirement for contributions towards affordable housing continues to apply to major development sites where viable. Major development sites are defined in the NPPF as: for housing, development where 10 or more homes will be provided, or the site has an area of 0.5 hectares or more. 

Therefore, in addition to requiring affordable housing on sites of 0.5 hectares or more irrespective of the number of units proposed, the relevant parts of Policy CS21 are as follows: 

• 40% of the gross number of dwellings on sites of 15 dwellings or more
• 30% of the gross number of dwellings on sites of 10 – 14 dwellings
• No contribution on sites of 1-9 gross number of dwellings (unless on sites of 0.5 hectares or more). 

A legal agreement is required for provision of both affordable housing and SAMM and a unilateral undertaking template is available. Email tplan@elmbridge.gov.uk to request a copy of the template. 

The Development Contributions SPD advises that the local planning authority (LPA) will seek early and late review mechanisms, where appropriate, when a development does not provide a policy compliant provision of affordable housing. The LPA is not currently seeking review mechanisms.

We, as a council, are committed to doing everything in our power to address the housing crisis and to maintain the transparency and accountability of our decisions. As such we publish all financial viability appraisals submitted as part of planning applications received on or after 19 March 2018 alongside other planning documents on our website.