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Guidance

Development appraisal tool

The development appraisal tool reviews the viability of an individual development site.

Updates to this page

From:
Homes England
Published:
13 November 2014
Last updated:
20 April 2026
Show all updates

  1. This tool has been removed because it relies on technology that is no longer. Email DatEnquiries@homesengland.gov.uk if you are significantly affected by this change.

  2. We have removed this tool because it relies on technology that is no longer supported.

  3. This tool will be removed on 31 March 2026. A note has been added to reflect this and a contact email provided.

  4. Updated 4.12 'Finance Costs' in user manual.

  5. Added accessible version of development appraisal tool training and user manual. Added user manual from another page so all supporting docs are in one location.

  6. Instructions to download document correctly.

  7. Updated development appraisal tool version 4.05

  8. Updated with version 4.04

  9. DAT version 4.03 uploaded (maintenance release)

  10. Version 4.02 released.

  11. Security update version - December 2014

  12. First published.

This publication was withdrawn on

This tool has been removed because it relies on technology that is no longer supported. Email DatEnquiries@homesengland.gov.uk if you are significantly affected by this change.

Applies to England

Documents

Development appraisal tool: user manual

PDF, 769 KB, 29 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@homesengland.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Development appraisal tool user manual, accessible version

HTML

Self-training exercise: spreadsheet (Excel 2010)

2.2 MB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@homesengland.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Self-training exercise instructions

PDF, 398 KB, 11 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@homesengland.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Self-training exercise instructions, accessible version

HTML

Details

The development appraisal tool is intended for use on small and medium to medium/large size schemes with a development period of up to 15 years.

The tool can be used to:

  • analyse whether the level of required planning obligations is viable
  • help local authorities consider the balance between affordable housing and other planning obligations
  • assess the case for financial support from the Homes England 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 agency’s Delivery Partner Dynamic Purchasing System

A bid comparator is available to help compare a number of submissions and their assumptions.

Version 4.02 of the model has 5 phases for all tenures and infrastructure, to enable modeling of longer term schemes.

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