'Enabling Development' is a term used for development (of housing or otherwise) which would not otherwise be permitted (Green Belt, open countryside, grounds of a listed building, no affordable housing), unless it is cross-subsidising conservation, repair or refurbishment of assets with heritage or community value.

An Enabling Development viability appraisal will be required to support a planning application for any development proposed to cross-subsidise works to or conversion of a heritage asset.

Enabling Development is defined by paragraph 202 of the NPPF as development that would not be in compliance with local and/or national planning policies, and not normally be given planning permission, except for the fact that it would secure the future conservation of a heritage asset. Historic England's Planning note 4 sets out advice on the financial evidence requirements for Enabling Development proposals, requiring two development appraisals (essentially viability assessments) to be completed.

We can provide the necessary development appraisals and reporting to support your planning application, firstly, by identifying the 'Conservation deficit' of a proposed scheme, which English Heritage define as:

‘the amount by which the cost of repair (and conversion to optimum viable use if appropriate) of a heritage asset exceeds its market value on completion of repair and conversion, allowing for all appropriate development costs.’

Having identified the 'deficit', we can then provide reporting to demonstrate the minimum amount of Enabling Development needed to meet the identified deficit, thereby providing appropriate justification to allow a departure from standard planning policy.

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Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help with Heritage developments and enabling development.