Reading: New ruling to speed up housing delivery, says Darcliffe Homes

Reading-based Darcliffe Homes has hailed the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in favour of the government plans to exempt small development sites of less than 10 homes and 1,000 sq m from the need to provide affordable housing. It believes the decision will enable developers to get on with the business of building much-needed housing in the area.

Reading Borough Council and West Berkshire District Council had originally won a High Court judgement reversing the Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) from November 2014 in which the policy was first introduced, arguing that it would work against the delivery of more affordable housing.

The Court of Appeal decision reinstates the government policy which means that affordable homes contributions will apply only to bigger developers building on larger sites.

Brandon Lewis, the housing and planning minister, commented: “The Court of Appeal’s judgment restores common sense to the system and ensures that those builders developing smaller sites, including self-builders, don’t face costs which could stop them from building any homes at all.”

Matthew Jeal, director at Darcliffe Homes, said: “The success of the appeal will be good news for housing delivery, as small sites will make a vital contribution to meeting the government’s key ambition of delivering one million new homes.”

The councils' battle may not be over yet, however, as there is still the possibility that the matter could go to the supreme court for a final appeal, despite ministerial pressure on the councils to get on with the task of supporting housing developers.