Planning permission will only be granted for development if provision is secured for related infrastructure, affordable housing, services, facilities and environmental protection and any other planning contributions which are necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms, directly related to the development, and fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind.

The provision of such requirements shall be secured either as part of development proposals, through the use of conditions attached to planning permissions, or through planning obligations. Where it can be demonstrated that provision on-site is not feasible then provision elsewhere, or a financial contribution towards this provision, will be required.

Where a planning application extends beyond the district boundary, prior agreement for the provision and location of any necessary obligations will need to be obtained from relevant parties.

Where the submission of a viability assessment has been justified, the Council will require an independent review of the viability of the scheme to be prepared, the costs of which shall be met by the developer. Where it is accepted that planning contributions are reduced below the requirements set out in policies of the Local Plan, a viability review mechanism will be required to enable a fully policy compliant level of contributions to be achieved over the lifetime of the project. Other than in exceptional circumstances, viability assessments will be made publicly available.

For more information, please visit Harlow’s Local Plan here.