WHC - Local Plan Viability Assessment

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (hereafter “the Council”) wishes to commission a viability assessment for their Local Plan Review. The purpose of this review is to assess the economic viability and feasibility of a revised Local Plan, and to inform policy requirements.

The objective of the required assessment is to determine that the cumulative costs of policies, site requirements and the accompanying package of necessary infrastructure will not undermine the overall deliverability of the Local Plan. The assessment should be robust enough to support the Local Plan Review as part of the evidence base and be relied upon by developers when submitting subsequent planning applications on allocated Local Plan sites.

Whilst not part of this commission, consultants should also be prepared to give evidence at Local Plan Examination, provide expert advice on specific planning applications and to provide expert witness services at planning appeals, as required by the Council. Index linked hourly rates for undertaking such work should be included as part of the tender response.

It is anticipated that the contract will commence on 11th August 2025 and continue until stage 1 services are completed.