Affordable Housing Planning Advice

Section 106 Affordable Housing

Red Loft Land is a Division of Red Loft specialising in providing services to private developers, land owners, Local Authorities and Registered Social Landlords.

Red Loft Land is led by Cheryl Scott, with Noelle Byrnes and Noelson Cotter (Senior Researcher).

Red Loft Land has been instrumental in the delivery of some 3,000 units of affordable housing through the Section 106 planning gain and is able to offer the following services to developers and land owners:

Researching Supplementary Planning Guidance and previous planning decisions to minimise Section 106 obligations

Representing client’s interests to Local Authorities
Advising on design and layout to minimise Section 106 costs
Advising on how to maximise value from affordable housing providers
Training staff on Section 106 policies and procedures

Examples:

1. Marylebone Warwick Balfour (MWB) constructed the redevelopment scheme for Queen Elizabeth Docks in Canning Town, in the London Borough of Newham (adjacent to the Excel exhibition and conference centre). The local planning authority wanted a Section 106 Affordable Housing allocation of 25% on-site. Red Loft Land was able to negotiate a reduction down to 15% with shared ownership on-site and affordable rented off-site.

2. Ballymore Properties developed New Providence Wharf near Canary Wharf on the Isle of Dogs, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The initial design for the Section 106 affordable housing required a total allocation of 165 units. Red Loft Land was able to evaluate the design and reduce the Section 106 requirement to 145 units.

3. Waterhouse acquired an 11.5 acre former brewery site in Dorchester town centre. The local planning authority initially insisted on a 35% Section 106 allocation on-site. Red Loft Land, working with the owner/developer was able to identify weaknesses in the Council’s policy and the Section 106 requriement was reduced to 25%.