Govt consults on standard planning agreements for medium sites

The government is currently seeking views on its proposed standard planning agreements for medium-sized sites, including details of discretionary cascade mechanisms for affordable housing.

Following the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on August 17 which confirmed the introduction of a medium site category, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is consulting on four standardised planning agreements for sites of between ten and 49 homes.

The consultation, closing on October 20, is split into two parts:

Part 1 seeks views on two standard clauses templates for medium-sized sites. The first is for bilateral section 106 agreements, the second for unilateral undertakings (UUs), together with schedules for financial contributions and the local planning authority’s (LPA) covenants.

Part 2 proposes two draft affordable housing schedules for medium-sized sites. The first is for full planning permissions, including a discretionary cascade mechanism. The second is for outline planning permissions.

The affordable housing schedule is intended to be included in agreements using the standard clauses template for schemes where affordable housing obligations are to be secured.

MHCLG’s consultation gives the proposed general structure of the discretionary cascade mechanism for full planning permissions. A cascade mechanism …