Section 106 could be replaced with levy

Change: Housing Secretary Michael Gove is rumoured to be ready to replace rules requiring developers to build affordable housing with a new levy.

Under the existing system, councils secure finance for affordable housing from developers who want to build new homes via Section 106 legislation or the Community Infrastructure Levy, imposed as a planning condition.

Mr Gove is said to want a new levy, set as a proportion of the value of a new housing development. Councils could then access this money to build or commission their own affordable homes.