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Case studiesESRCSchool of Geography and Planning

How can Wales secure greater public benefit from development?

6 July 2026

A Cardiff University project supported through the ESRC Strategic Impact Fund brought together planners, policymakers, housing organisations and industry specialists from across Wales to explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding land value capture and development viability.

The project led to a new report highlighting opportunities to improve transparency, strengthen the evidence base underpinning planning decisions and support better outcomes for communities and housing delivery.

Exposed roof beams in house construction

 

Land value capture is concerned with how increases in land value created through planning decisions and public investment can be used to support affordable housing and infrastructure.

Building on earlier research into land value capture and housing development, this project brought together policymakers, planners, housing organisations and industry specialists to explore challenges and opportunities in Wales.

Researchers convened a Wales wide workshop involving local authorities, Welsh Government, housing organisations, developers and planning specialists.

 

Insights from these discussions informed a new report on land value capture and development viability in Wales, highlighting opportunities to improve transparency, strengthen the evidence base and support better outcomes for communities and housing delivery.IAA Strategic Impact Funding support enabled researchers to translate previous ESRC research into policy engagement activity in Wales and create a shared space for discussion around a complex and important issue.The project strengthened relationships with key organisations across Wales and produced an evidence based resource that is helping inform ongoing conversations about planning, affordable housing and development policy.

 

 

Read more and access the report:
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/3019310-new-report-urges-greater-transparency-in-development-viability-across-wales