THE COUNCIL has spent nearly £50,000 forcing developers to make affordable housing contributions.

Since changes to the government's planning policies in 2014 and a subsequently legal appeal by Reading and West Berkshire Councils was thwarted, developers are no longer required to contribute community infrastructure levy funds on builds of ten houses or less.

Despite the ruling Reading Borough Council has decided to fight for the cash on a case-by-case basis, racking up £49,000 of legal fees since July 2016 in the process.

Councillor Marian Livingston, lead member for housing, argued the costs paled in significance to the money recouped by the council through seven successful appeals.

She said: "I think you have to look at the whole thing in the round. We have our own particular policy along with other hard pressed councils on affordable housing.

"We have won more appeals than we have lost. The money we have gained on affordable housing collected on one of those we won is enough to pay for all of our legal costs.

"It has been cost effective ten times over."

So far £170,000 has been squeezed out of developers working on such sites, with a further £1.44m likely to come when several builds reach completion.