Section 106 Agreements
When planning applications involves affordable housing, applicants must enter into a Section 106 Agreement.
The purpose of this agreement is to ensure that the affordable housing is of a high quality, and that:
- the homes go to local people most in need of affordable housing, and
- the rents or prices are affordable, and remain so in the future
Supplementary Planning Documents give advice for affordable housing.
We advise that you speak to us before you make any planning applications. You will need to submit draft Heads of Terms (this is not in the form of a legal document) as part of the application process.
The Affordable Housing Team can tell you the options available. We can also give informal advice about affordable housing proposals.
Section 106 agreement template
The Section 106 agreement template is an indication of the Deed that the Council’s solicitor will prepare.
Besides affordable housing, we may also seek other contributions such as education, open space and highways. Clauses to cover these will be inserted into the deed as appropriate.
Legal advice
If you are not sure how the s106 agreement will affect you, or what the different clauses mean, you should seek the advice of your solicitor.
This will be essential if you have a mortgage on your property.
Please note: The Council's solicitor or Legal Service cannot provide you with legal advice about s106 agreements.
For further information please contact a member of the Affordable Housing Team using the details on this page.
Vacant Building Credit
The Vacant Building Credit is a Government scheme. It encourages landowners to bring brownfield land back into use.
It is an incentive to effective use of land, by reusing brownfield land that has been previously developed. Provided that the land is not of high environmental value.
The full guidance note gives details of the scheme including a worked example and eligibility.
Other key Council documents
We have a number of policies in place to maximise the provision of quality, affordable housing. Key documents are:
These include information about when and where affordable housing will be sought as part of planning applications.
At regional and national levels there are a number of important policies that affect the way we work.
