Financial Viability Assessment
RICS-compliant viability appraisals for planning applications, affordable housing negotiations and development schemes — prepared by RICS Chartered Surveyors.
What is a Financial Viability Assessment?
A Financial Viability Assessment (FVA) is a professional appraisal that evaluates whether a proposed development scheme is financially viable — typically in the context of a planning application. It is used to determine the level of affordable housing, planning obligations, and other contributions a development can reasonably support without undermining its commercial viability.
At Samson Consultants, our RICS Chartered Surveyors prepare FVAs in accordance with the RICS Financial Viability in Planning guidance note and the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Our reports are robust, transparent, and designed to withstand scrutiny from local planning authorities and independent reviewers.
When is a Financial Viability Assessment Required?
- Planning applications where affordable housing obligations are sought
- Negotiations with local planning authorities over Section 106 contributions
- Schemes where full policy compliance would render development unviable
- Residential, mixed-use and commercial development appraisals
- Viability reviews at planning appeal stage
- Pre-application advice and early-stage development appraisals
- Benchmark land value and Existing Use Value (EUV) assessments
- Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) viability assessments
What Our FVA Covers
Our Financial Viability Assessments are comprehensive and tailored to the specific scheme and planning context. A typical FVA from Samson Consultants will include:
- Gross Development Value (GDV) analysis based on comparable market evidence
- Development cost appraisal including build costs, professional fees and finance
- Benchmark land value and Existing Use Value assessment
- Affordable housing tenure mix and value analysis
- Sensitivity testing across key variables
- Assessment of planning obligations and CIL liability
- Conclusions and recommendations on affordable housing provision
RICS Compliance and Transparency
All FVAs prepared by Samson Consultants comply with the RICS Financial Viability in Planning guidance note (1st edition) and the requirements of the NPPF and Planning Practice Guidance. We adopt an open-book approach to viability, ensuring our appraisals are transparent and capable of independent review. Where required, we can act as expert witnesses in planning appeals or public inquiries.