RBKC Affordable Housing Contributions Policy Sets 35 Per Cent Target, Differing From Westminster and Camden

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council has revised its affordable housing contributions policy to require 35 per cent of units in schemes of 10 homes or more to meet affordability criteria. This applies to planning decisions across wards that include Notting Hill, where sites along Ladbroke Grove and nearby streets face review under the new threshold.

The adjustment follows the council's completion of fresh viability assessments in May 2026 and aligns with the latest iteration of the London Plan. Other boroughs operate different percentages based on their own evidence. Westminster requires 40 per cent on qualifying sites while Camden targets 35 per cent with additional local weighting for social rent.

Comparisons with neighbouring boroughs

Policy analysts note that the 35 per cent figure places Kensington and Chelsea between the higher bar set by Westminster and the 30 per cent minimum adopted in Hammersmith and Fulham. The legislation states that each borough must demonstrate how its target reflects local land values and infrastructure costs. For Notting Hill, this means developers submitting schemes after 1 August will calculate contributions using the council's updated formula rather than the previous 30 per cent baseline.

Local advocates note that the policy document released in June ties the percentage directly to the borough's 2025 annual housing report, which recorded 4,200 households on the waiting list. Residents in the W11 postcode stand to see allocations drawn from this register once completed units become available. The government says the policy will produce an estimated 150 affordable homes per year through planning permissions over the next three years.

Resident impacts and next steps

Households seeking social rented accommodation could face shorter waits if the additional units materialise in mixed developments. Council tax bills and service charges for market-rate residents in the same buildings remain unchanged by the contributions rule itself. The legislation states that payments in lieu of on-site units go into a dedicated fund used only for off-site affordable housing within the borough boundary.

Planning officers will assess the first wave of applications under the new rules at committee meetings scheduled for September. Residents can view case files and supporting viability statements through the council's public portal. Further updates on delivery numbers are expected in the 2027 housing delivery plan.