Affordable Snakes And Ladders On Small Sites

The judgment in the battle of wills over the Government's small sites affordable housing and Vacant Building Credit policies has concluded, for now, with the Government victorious in the Court of Appeal. This blog considers the practical impact of the Vacant Building Credit.  What are the wider implications of the judgment for affordable housing decisions and policies?

Policy on the hoof

The process by which the policies were introduced was surprising, but not unlawful.  However, two elements of the judgment may prove controversial:

• firstly, the acceptance of a retrospective Equalities Impact Assessment where complying with the Public Sector Equalities Duty when taking the decision where the assessment was 'adequate and in good faith' and original decision "would not have led to a different conclusion";