Brighton & Hove City Council has unveiled plans for developers to publicly disclose detailed financial information if they miss 'affordable' housing targets.

Currently, developments of over five or more residential units must provide a percentage of 'affordable' housing unless it would make the scheme financially unviable. Any scheme over 15 units should provide 40% of 'affordable' housing.

Present rules mean developers submit viability assessments to the council which are then independently assessed by the District Valuer Services (DVS). The viability information and the independent assessment are currently not disclosed to the public in order to protect commercial confidentiality.

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However, the new proposals would see property developers reveal their sums in applications falling short of the 'affordable' housing targets.

A public consultation on the issue last autumn revealed the majority of respondents felt the measures would lead to greater transparency, understanding and trust in the planning system. However, developers were concerned that commercially sensitive information could be disclosed and therefore impact on future development in the city.

Cllr Alan Robins said: "In many cases there may be perfectly good reasons why a developer cannot meet 40 per cent. For example a council might want them to pay for other things such as a new leisure centre.

"But sometimes developers might be trying their luck by raising viability issues. Either way, it could be beneficial for the public to have the same information as councillors on the planning committee, so that everyone understands why a given amount of affordable housing was accepted or rejected."

Councillors will be asked to approve the new requirements in a report to the tourism, development and culture committee on 11 January. If approved, the new requirements would come into force early this year.

(LM/MH)