Developers looking to build in Elmbridge will now be forced to have a report on the financial viability of their scheme open to the public under new rules.

In a first for Surrey, Elmbridge Council added the new requirement for “transparency” and to “address the housing crisis”.

Previously, a developer’s financial viability appraisals (FVAS) were confidential and submitted to the council in private, whereas now anyone will be able to access it online with the planning application.

Often these appraisals are submitted once significant work on the development has been carried out, and developers frequently conclude that if forced to add affordable homes the scheme would not be profitable.

The council’s planning strategy requires developers to provide between 20 per cent and 50 per cent affordable housing depending on the size of the proposed development.

As well as adding transparency when it comes to affordable housing, a financial analysis is essential to predict the health of the project and it is hoped the public will add extra scrutiny.

All planning applications after Monday, March 19, are subject to the change.

Councillor Karen Randolph, portfolio holder for planning services, said: “The council is committed to doing everything in its power to address the housing crisis and to maintain the transparency and accountability of its decisions.”