HCA Development Appraisal Tool
Homes England (previously the Homes and Communities Agency) publishes a widely-used Development Appraisal Tool (DAT) for small and medium to medium/large projects with a development period of up to 15 years.
It is a spreadsheet-based, site-specific development viability tool intended to inform investment decisions by local authorities and developers, but it can be used as part of a challenge to demands in planning applications, in particular in relation to the effect of affordable housing requirements on project viability.
Version 4, published on 13 November 2014 has 5 phases for all tenures and infrastructure, enabling longer-term schemes to be assessed. It also takes account of changes to planning policy, such as changes to the Community Infrastructure Levy.
The tool can be used to:
- Analyse whether planning obligations are viable.
- Help local authorities assess the balance between affordable housing and other planning obligations.
- Assess the case for financial support under the affordable homes programme.
- Assess the potential land value where a local authority is considering a disposal.
- Bid for the development of public land under the Homes and Communities Agency’s Development Partner Panel 2 process.
The bid comparator can be used to compare a number of different submissions.
In London, the Greater London Authority (GLA) Affordable Housing Development Control Toolkit is also available, and there are a number of commercially available viability testing tools.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Affordable homes.
- Community infrastructure levy.
- Homes England.
- Planning obligations.
- Planning permission.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.