23.08.2024
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As part of the new Labour government’s proposed reforms to national planning policy published earlier this month, revisions to the standard method used as the starting point for calculating housing need have been published which align with Labour’s ambitious plans to deliver 1.5 million new homes within the next parliamentary period.
The revised method seeks to provide greater certainty to the sector through more stable and predictable housing numbers, be straightforward and speed up plan-making and achieve a more balanced distribution of homes across the country, by directing homes to where they are most needed and least affordable, and ensure that all areas contribute to meeting the country’s housing needs.
The current method comprises a baseline of household projects which are then adjusted to take account of affordability. In some circumstances, that figure is then capped to limit the affordability increase and finally an urban uplift is applied to the 20 most populous urban areas.
The proposed method uses a baseline as a percentage of existing housing stock levels, designed to provide a stable baseline that drives a level of delivery proportionate to the existing size of settlements and is topped up by a stronger affordability multiplier which will have the greatest effect on areas facing the greatest affordability pressures. The current caps and urban uplift will be removed.
DHA have mapped the impact of the proposed revised method on the housing need figures of authorities across London and the South East, with the impact of the strengthened affordability multiplier stark in many of the homes counties most affluent areas.
For more information and to discuss how the proposed policy and standard method changes may affect your site, please contact Matthew.Porter@dhaplanning.co.uk or Greg.Filmer@dhaplanning.co.uk
The table and map below shows the potential percentage change of housing needs in Kent.
The table and map below shows the potential percentage change of housing needs in Surrey.
The table and map below shows the potential percentage change of housing needs in East Sussex.
The table and map below shows the potential percentage change of housing needs in West Sussex.
The table and map below shows the potential percentage change of housing needs in Hampshire.
The table and map below shows the potential percentage change of housing needs in Berkshire.
The table and map below shows the potential percentage change of housing needs in London.
The table and map below shows the potential percentage change of housing needs in Essex.
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