Sevenoaks — Affordable Housing Policy
Parabilis policy summary and published source references. Consult the linked council documents for the authoritative policy and its qualifications.
Council
Sevenoaks District Council
County
Kent
Local Plan
Sevenoaks District Core Strategy (adopted Feb 2011) + Allocations and Development Management Plan (Feb 2015)
Affordable housing policy
Policy SP3 — Provision of Affordable Housing (Core Strategy 2011), as updated by Affordable Housing SPD Update November 2025
Zone A
Greenfield sites (10+ dwellings net, not grey belt)
Zone A rate
40% — GUIDANCE (Affordable Housing SPD 2011 Addendum, November 2025, Table 1 p.3)
Zone B
Brownfield / previously developed land (10+ dwellings net, not grey belt)
Zone B rate
30% — GUIDANCE (Affordable Housing SPD 2011 Addendum, November 2025, Table 1 p.3)
Zone C
Grey belt land (major development — NPPF 2024 golden rules)
Zone C rate
50% — GUIDANCE (Affordable Housing SPD 2011 Addendum, November 2025, Table 1 p.3) (NPPF golden rules)
Last checked
Oct 2026
Policy wording (adopted)
ADOPTED — Sevenoaks District Core Strategy (adopted February 2011), Policy SP3 Provision of Affordable Housing, printed pp.69–70 (PDF pp.70–71). Checked 3 Oct 2026. In order to meet the needs of people who are not able to compete in the general housing market, the Council will expect the provision of affordable housing in all types of residential development including specialised housing. The location, layout and design of the affordable housing within the scheme should create an inclusive development. The level and type of affordable housing required in any residential development will be assessed against the following criteria:- 1. In residential developments of 15 dwellings or more gross 40% of the total number of units should be affordable. 2. In residential developments of 10-14 dwellings gross 30% of the total number of units should be affordable 3. In residential developments of 5-9 units gross 20% of the total number of units should be affordable 4. In residential developments of less than 5 units that involve a net gain in the number of units a financial contribution based on the equivalent of 10% affordable housing will be required towards improving affordable housing provision off-site Where an element of affordable housing is required at least 65% of the affordable housing units should be social rented, unless the Council is satisfied that an alternative mix meets a proven need. In exceptional circumstances where it is demonstrated to the Council’s satisfaction through an independent assessment of viability that on-site provision in accordance with the policy would not be viable, a reduced level of provision may be accepted or, failing that, a financial contribution towards provision off-site will be required. Permission will be refused where the size of the development is artificially reduced to fall below the threshold requiring provision of affordable housing.
Building Safety Levy
42.15
Building Safety Levy (brownfield)
21.08
Note
Rates and tenure shown follow the council's 2025 update to its affordable housing guidance (SPD); the adopted Core Strategy (2011) sets different tiers.
Affordable housing
30–50%
Affordable housing (detail)
Varies by area and site type
CIL (residential, per m²)
£126–£209/m²
Plan period
2006–2026
CIL rates by zone
2026 rates (indexed): Area A £209.25/m²; Area B £125.55/m². Charging schedule in effect from 4 Aug 2014.
Exceptions and reduced rates
Brownfield sites (not grey belt): 30% on 10 or more homes (instead of 40% on greenfield). Vacant Building Credit (national policy) can reduce the requirement where vacant buildings are reused or redeveloped. Exempt from the policy: Build to Rent (which provides 20% Affordable Private Rent instead), specialist older people's and student accommodation, and self-build.
Rented share
80% (guidance)
Home ownership share
20% (guidance)
How tenure is set
From council guidance (2025 SPD addendum), not the adopted plan; a starting point, not a fixed requirement.
Threshold
Council guidance (2025): 10 or more homes, or 0.5 ha or more; in Designated Rural Areas, financial contributions of 10% on up to 5 homes on 0.5 ha or more, and 20% on 6–9 homes. The adopted policy applies to all schemes with a net gain.
CIL relief for affordable housing
Social housing that meets the conditions in the CIL regulations (regulation 49) can get mandatory relief, and so can First Homes (regulation 49(7B)). Relief is not automatic: it must be claimed and approved before development starts.
Plan status
Core Strategy adopted February 2011; Allocations and Development Management Plan adopted February 2015. Plan period 2006–2026. The plan period ran to 2026; its policies still apply until a new plan is adopted, but may carry less weight. A draft new local plan has been published for its final round of consultation before submission (Regulation 19); it is not yet adopted. Position as at 19 October 2026.
CIL (short)
£126–£209/m²
Emerging plan stage
Regulation 19 published
Draft policy (not adopted)
Draft policy (not adopted). Sevenoaks District Local Plan, Regulation 19 publication. Policy H2: Provision of Affordable Housing, pages 83–85. This Policy will boost the delivery of affordable housing from developments with market housing, ensuring that overall viability is not prejudiced and that a mix of tenures is provided that meet the needs of the current and future population. All proposals for new housing development will be required to contribute to the provision of affordable housing in accordance with the following thresholds. In Designated Rural Areas (as defined under Section 157 of the Housing Act 1985), lower thresholds apply in accordance with national policy. The above thresholds do not apply to 100% affordable housing schemes. Where the provision of on-site affordable housing applies, the required tenure split is 80% Social Rented housing and 20% Shared Ownership housing unless otherwise agreed by the Council’s Housing Service. Grey belt sites are expected to meet the full affordable housing requirements set out in this Plan, in accordance with national policy and guidance.
Housing Delivery Test 2025
25%
Delivery test consequence
Action plan required, a 20% buffer added to the five-year housing land supply, and an unmet need for housing is treated as existing when deciding proposals outside settlements (national policy S5(1)(j)) – delivery was below 75% of the homes required over three years.
Five-year housing land supply
3.59 years at 1 Apr 2026 (council's stated position)
Policy can change. Check the adopted documents and seek professional advice before relying on this summary.