Altair’s Development Viability team was instructed by Uttlesford District Council to assist with a planning appeal in relation to the redevelopment of the former Helena Romanes School in Great Dunmow, Essex.
The proposal was for an enabling development to re-develop the existing secondary school to provide 200 new homes to fund the delivery of a new through school on an alternative, pre-identified site.
The Development Viability team were appointed to assess the applicant’s assumption that the scheme could not viably provide any on-site affordable housing as part of the planning application.
To do this, Altair prepared a full Financial Viability Assessment reviewing the applicant’s key financial assumptions and case law. Following the provision of the report, discussions were then held with the applicant’s consultant to agree assumptions where possible. This was set out in a Statement of Common Ground, which was provided to the Planning Inspector in advance of the Appeal Hearing.
Altair then proceeded to attend the Appeal Hearing, referenced planning policy and relevant case law and provided evidence as to why the site could deliver a policy-compliant level of affordable housing.
Altair provided a full Financial Viability Assessment on behalf of the Local Planning Authority and provided expert witness support at the appeal hearing arguing in favour of the delivery of a policy compliant level of affordable housing.
