Area Wide Viability Model

Our Area Wide Viability Model can test the viability of planning obligation requirements at a strategic level.  It looks at different residential development typologies across an area, and can assess the capacity of local markets to deliver nil grant affordable housing.  It can also test the viability of a Community Infrastructure Levy.

It does this by:

• Analysing the viability of different types of housing development in different sub markets.
• Testing the deliverability of planning obligations across a range of site types within a local area.
• Allowing the user to balance the mix of s106 planning obligations, CIL, affordable housing percentage and affordable tenure mix which the market might viably deliver on a nil-grant basis, as well as assessing added value from public investment.

The model

The model consists of an Excel spreadsheet and associated User Manual 

• Area Wide Viability Model v2.2 – Excel (933KB)

• Area Wide Viability Model – User Manual – PDF (312KB)

The Excel file should not be opened in your browser, please save it to your computer and open in Excel.

Using the model

The model can be used by local authorities and the HCA to test the deliverability of representative residential development sites across an area, typically drawing on Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment data, and analysing their relative viability.  Where local authorities ask the HCA to work with them in using the model, it is envisaged that the authority will own the model and the HCA can provide support in its use, sharing evidence on assumptions and providing client side support in the commissioning of advice to confirm input assumptions.

For more information local authorities should contact their HCA area team to discuss potential joint use of the tool.  Please send any technical questions about the model to  AWVMenquiries@hca.gsi.gov.uk