Planning and Architecture

NPF4 Policy 16 Quality Homes – Statements of Community Benefit

December 23, 2024 by planningarchitecture No Comments | Category Architecture, Housing & Infrastructure, National Planning Framework, Planning, Stakeholder Engagement

New housing can bring benefits to an area, and NPF4 Policy 16 requires applications for 50 homes or more to explain some of these positive impacts. Representatives from planning authorities, the development industry and community sector met on 26 November 2024 to explore existing approaches to Statements of Community Benefit, and opportunities to refine practice.

Several examples of Statements of Community Benefit provided the backdrop for the discussion. Here, we outline some of the key discussion points and conclusions reached.

What are Statements of Community Benefit?

Statements of Community Benefit explain how the proposed development:

• meets local housing requirements, including affordable homes;
• provides or enhances local infrastructure facilities and services; and,
• improves the residential amenity of the surrounding area.

“Community Benefit” in this context is limited to matters material (i.e. relevant) to planning decisions. This is different to the understanding of community benefit in relation to renewable energy development, which includes voluntary arrangements beyond the scope of planning decision making.

In relation to NPF4 policy 16, community benefit could mean:

• addressing needs and priorities as identified in Housing Needs and Demands Assessments, Local Housing Strategies, and any local Community Wealth Building strategies or Community Action Plans
• high quality placemaking, which offers wide-ranging benefits that are not always easily measurable
• creating the context for joint working between groups – particularly communities and the development industry – to nurture the creation of new places which support existing and emerging communities

Interaction with developer contributions

Developer contributions are a separate consideration to community benefit in this context. It is important to be clear that raising and spending developer contributions through section 75 agreements is tightly restricted by legislation, guidance and legal precedent. The five tests for developer contributions (planning obligations) are set out in NPF4 in policy 18, Infrastructure First. It is essential to maintain the actual and perceived probity and transparency of the planning process.

Community involvement

Community voices are largely absent from the existing Statements of Community Benefit that were discussed, and community representatives highlighted that the contents of statements don’t necessarily reflect their priorities.

There are opportunities in the planning application process, through pre-application consultation and then public consultation on applications, for community input and/or comment on Statements of Community Benefit. Making better use of this existing process could:

• help to navigate debate on contentious development proposals as applications progress
• create opportunities for existing local place plans and community action plans to inform understanding of community aspirations
• create opportunities for communities to hold developers to account on their commitments

Implementing a proportionate approach

There was consensus on a simple, accessible and proportionate approach to meeting this policy requirement. Representatives from Homes for Scotland and Heads of Planning Scotland agreed to work together to take forward work on good practice in Statements of Community Benefit, including design of a template. Use of a template could enable a standardised approach, and therefore comparison of benefits.

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