South-East England Local Plan and Housing Update – Summer 2024

As the UK welcomes Labour into Government, we are getting set for the likely significant series of changes to plan making and decision taking, which from the recent statement of the Chancellor are on the horizon.

 

The new Government is clearly eager to demonstrate the importance of growth and its intentions to ensure the Planning System helps deliver it. Indeed, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has immediately set out the new administration’s clear aspirations to encourage growth within the UK alongside pushing levels of housebuilding to a level not seen in over 70 years (including 1.5 million homes in the first Parliament). We have also seen the term ‘levelling up’ deleted from the Government Department and the return of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

 

With the December 2023 NPPF hanging on, we continue to play by the Conservative Government’s rules. However, by the end of July we can expect consultation on a revised NPPF that will be ’growth focused’ and see the restoration of mandatory housing targets in addition to a new approach to meeting housing needs in the green belt. But for now, we are pleased to share our Summer 2024 edition of the South-East England Local Plan and Housing Update, which can be downloaded here.

 

As is custom for the Update, we cover 7 regions within the South-East,  provide a handy summary table showing the approximate changes due within 6 months, and include an easy-to-read explanation on the Plan Making process.

 

The importance of housing need and supply is reflected in National Planning Policy. This Update document provides a view as to whether a Local Authority can be considered a 4-Year or 5-Year Authority. Further to this, it provides a view on the performance of adopted Local Plans through a headline summary of the Council’s latest Housing Land Supply position, based either on their most up-to-date published position or relevant Inspector’s Appeal Decision. Additionally, it outlines the latest published Housing Delivery Test (HDT) Result for each Authority. Where an Authority cannot demonstrate the relevant supply of housing land, or they fall below 75% in the HDT, circumstances radically tilt Decision Making in favour of the grant of Permission.

 

As always, we hope that this Update provides a useful insight, and please make sure to keep an eye-out for further updates throughout the remainder of the year!

 

In the meantime, if you have any queries relating to the Local Plan process, please contact DHA’s Greg Filmer, Matt Porter or David Bedford.

 

Please Note: Data used within this Update document is correct to 5^th July 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 document provides a convenient high-level reference of whether the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ applies, we would always encourage those viewing the document to confirm the position of an Authority, rather than relying solely on the Update document. Should you have any queries on the document or the position of a Local Authority, please do not hesitate to get in contact with DHA Planning.