Meeting policy requirements in exceptional viability cases

As previously outlined, in exceptional cases where the Council accepts that meeting the full policy requirements is unviable, an appropriate balance will need to be struck between the level of developer return and the obligations/mitigation required to ensure policy compliance. As every situation is different, each development will be judged on its merits at the time of assessing the planning application. Some of the key considerations that will be used to inform discussions include: • Developer contributions are seen as necessary to manage and mitigate the impacts of development on Belfast's infrastructure and/or its environment. Where these are sought, the assumption is that, as they are so directly related to the proposed development and to the use of land after completion, the development ought not to be permitted without it. Consequently, there is likely to be little scope to alter these without fundamental changes to the nature of the proposal itself. • In respect of planning requirements such as affordable housing (Policy HOU5), there may, in exceptional circumstances, be scope to consider alternative options that would assist with viability, taking account of a number of factors including the level of identified need in an area, the type of residential development proposed and the availability of other suitable sites in the area. The Affordable Housing SPG provides further detail on the range of potential alternative options for consideration.