South-East England Local Plan and Housing Delivery Test Update

The Plan making process is complex, which in combination with the time-consuming process of keeping track of a Local Authority’s Plan, Housing Land Supply, and Housing Delivery Test results, can often lead to confusion. To help simplify matters somewhat, DHA Planning are pleased to share our South-East England Local Plan and Housing Delivery Test Update for Spring 2024, please click here to download this document.

 

This Spring 2024 version of the Local Plan and Housing Delivery Test Update has now been updated to cover 7 regions in the South East, comprising: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, and London. We have also included a handy summary table for the approximate changes that are due in the next 6 months.

 

The December 2023 amendment to the NPPF saw some radical changes to how the performance of Plans is monitored, which has led to a number of months of uncertainty and confusion. As of February 2024, the PPG has clarified this position and in combination with the revised NPPF seeks to fulfil the Government’s ambition for a genuinely Plan-led Planning System, with a raft of new incentives.

 

As is custom for the Update document, we have included an easy-to-read guide on the current status of Emerging Plans. Each element of the Plan making process is explained, be that during the evidence gathering, pre-submission, or post-submission stages, in addition to an explanation of the status and opportunity to participate in Plan making.

 

Those that are familiar with Local Plan promotion will be presently aware that making Sites available at the appropriate time is a critical decision. Whilst evidence of deliverability and suitability is required as Plans proceed through the various stages of production, the Independent Examination of the Plan then sees matters turn to legal compliance and soundness that is scrutinised at a very detailed scale.

 

National Planning Policy reflects the importance of housing need and supply. The NPPF requires Local Authorities to provide a minimum of a five-year supply of housing land, unless their Adopted Plan that is less than five years old and that it could identify at least a five-year supply of specific, deliverable sites when its examination concluded. However, the requirement of a five-year supply of housing has been modified to a requirement of a four-year supply for Authorities that have made sufficient progress on their new Plans. Therefore, the Update document also considers whether a Local Authority can be considered a 4 Year or 5 Year Authority.

 

In this regard, this Update document provides a view on the performance of existing Plans through providing a headline summary of the Council’s latest Housing Land Supply position, which is based either on the most up-to-date update from the Local Authority or a relevant Inspector’s Appeal Decision. Where Authorities are unable to demonstrate the relevant supply of housing land, circumstances radically tilt Decision Making in favour of the grant of permission.

 

Further to reviewing the performance of existing Plans, the Housing Delivery Test, introduced in 2018, is an annually updated measurement of past housing delivery with varying consequences for an Authorities failure to meet targets. Within the Update document we have also outlined the latest published results of each Authority.

 

We hope that the Spring 2024 Update provides useful insight, keep an eye-out for our future updates to this document during the course of the year!

 

Please Note: Data within this Update document is correct to 22^nd February 2024 and is solely based on data, figures, and documents published by the Government and the relevant Local Planning Authorities. We highlight that the Plan Making and Monitoring process is ever evolving and therefore whilst this Update document provides a convenient high-level reference of whether the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ applies, we would always implore those viewing the document to confirm the position of an Authority, rather than relying solely on the Update document. If you have any queries on the Update document or on the position of a Local Authority, please do not hesitate to get in to contact with DHA Planning.