On 2nd March the Government announced a change to planning policy to enable Starter Homes to be built on under-used or unviable commercial land which is not currently identified for housing. Such developments will be exempt from CIL and s106 affordable housing and tariff-style contributions.
To qualify as a Starter Home, properties will have to be offered for sale as minimum of 20% below open market price, to first-time buyers. Such properties will be prevented from being let or re-sold at market value for 5 years. An element of market housing may also be permitted on Exception Sites, if required to fund the discounted Starter Homes.
The Government intends to issue further guidance, and a set of exemplar designs, soon.