Talent Bank Lunch and Learn – Affordable Housing, Developer Contributions and Viability

Session Overview

This session provides a comprehensive update on national policy and guidance relating to affordable housing, developer contributions and development viability.  Talent Bank associate John Wacher will explore recent changes to national viability guidance, key proposals in the Draft National Planning Policy Framework, and the practical implications for planning authorities.

The session will cover current issues and emerging challenges, including:

• Planning effectively for affordable housing and infrastructure delivery
• Undertaking area-wide viability testing to support local plan preparation
• Managing site-specific viability assessments and review mechanisms
• New government measures relating to Section 106 affordable housing delivery
• Approaches to varying affordable housing obligations

Drawing on more than 20 years’ experience across local and regional government, John will share practical insights from his work leading viability and affordable housing policy, negotiating strategic developments, and advising on national and professional guidance.

Who should attend?

This session is aimed at local government professionals, including:

• Planning policy and development management officers
• Housing and affordable housing teams
• S106, developer contributions and infrastructure officers
• Viability, regeneration and strategic planning teams
• Local authority legal, finance and senior decision-makers involved in housing delivery

About the speaker

John Wacher is a chartered planner and chartered surveyor with more than 20 years’ experience working across local and regional government. At the Greater London Authority, he established and led the Mayor of London’s Viability Team, developing and implementing affordable housing policy, including the London Plan Threshold / Fast Track Route, and overseeing viability testing and S106 negotiations for strategic applications over nine years.

Previously, John held senior roles at the London Borough of Islington, leading on S106 negotiation and delivery, the introduction of the borough’s Community Infrastructure Levy, and the council’s Local Economic Assessment. He also oversaw the first local authority guidance on Development Viability and the council’s viability case in the landmark Parkhurst Road appeal, which contributed to changes in national and professional guidance.

John has chaired the London Authorities Viability Group for more than a decade and has extensive experience advising government, local authorities and professionals, as well as delivering training on affordable housing, housing delivery, developer contributions and development viability.