THE Department for Communities and Local Government have recently published Planning For The Right Homes In The Right Places. This consultation sets out the framework and seeks views for achieving a number of the key proposals contained within the Housing White Paper, which aims to significantly boost the supply of new homes.
The proposal includes:
* A standardised methodology and prescribed formula for calculating local housing need
* Providing neighbourhood planning groups with a greater certainty on housing numbers
* A required statement of common ground to improve how local authorities work together to meet housing need across boundaries
* Making viability assessments simpler, quicker and more transparent
* An allowance for increased planning application fees in areas that are meeting their housing targets
If the proposed changes are introduced, the new standardised method for assessing housing need will result in authorities having to either increase or decrease their previous local housing projections, which will have a significant impact on the number of new homes that are built.
The potential impact across Northamptonshire is varied, with some authorities being relieved of some of the burden to provide further housing, whilst others will need to provide significantly more land. In particular, it is estimated that Northampton Borough Council’s annual housing requirement will fall by over 100 dwellings, which, for an authority that has struggled to meet its current housing requirement will alleviate some concerns within the council but frustrate any potential developers.
On the flip side, it is estimated that South Northamptonshire Council will see their housing requirement increase by approximately 90 dwellings per annum. This authority has seen significant new housing developments in recent years, particularly in Roade and Silverstone, and so this increase is likely to require the release of further land. As such, those with land interests in South Northamptonshire should be considering their next steps to potentially push that land forward.
Other authorities that will see an increase in their annual housing requirement will be Corby (approximately 30 per annum) and East Northamptonshire (approximately 40 per annum). Kettering, Wellingborough and Daventry will see nominal changes to their requirement.
The consultation closes on 9 November 2017 and it is the Government’s ambition to publish a revised National Planning Policy Framework in spring next year.
For further general information about the document or for specific guidance on the potential implications upon any land within a particular local authority area, contact Matthew Taylor at AR Group on 01604 880163 or email