Carter Jonas continually monitors the planning and development landscape across local authorities to locate and manage opportunities. This quarterly news bulletin provides insight and analysis of the current development climate for clusters of local authorities within the home counties. This quarter we look at Surrey and West Sussex.
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Local Authority Insight
Development Drivers
Critical Calendar Dates
West Sussex
Select a section of the map below to reveal the Local Plan position,
5-year housing land supply and recent Housing Delivery Test (HDT) results for the East Sussex authorities.
Horsham
Crawley
Chichester
Arun
AD
AR
CH
CR
H
Consultation on the proposed amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was undertaken by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities between December 2022 and March 2023. In the coming months, it is expected that the revised NPPF will be published, resulting in numerous changes to the plan-making process once the changes come into full effect in late 2024. One of the most notable implications of the changes is the relaxation of housing targets through:
• Greater flexibility in defining ‘adverse impacts’ to allow lower levels of housing to be
planned, and;
• LPAs no longer having to demonstrate a 5YHLS.
Contact francis
contact francis
Contact the key contributors to this research:
*Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 these provisional dates are subject to change.
explore the map for more information
Glossary
EMAIL DAVID
07866 794560
Partner, Planning
David Churchill
EMAIL FRANCIS
07787 282092
Partner, Strategic Land
Francis Truss
Our regional planning experts work out of five hubs, providing a truly national service for
their clients:
EMAIL KATy
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London
Katy Davis
EMAIL SARAH
07920 822527
North
Sarah Cox
EMAIL STEVEN
07970 796762
South and South West
Steven Sensecall
EMAIL COLIN
07771 924426
East
Colin Brown
Waverley
WA
Tandridge
TA
Surrey Heath
SH
Spelthorne
SP
Mole Valley
MV
Guildford
GU
Epsom and Ewell
E&E
Elmbridge
EL
E&E
explore the map for more information
Glossary
Woking
WO
Reigate and Banstead
R&B
EMAIL robert
07771 898954
National Strategic Land
Robert Smith
EMAIL johnny
07557 428136
National Masterplanning
Johnny Clayton
Our national service specialists:
EL
GU
MV
R&B
RU
SP
SH
TA
WO
WA
H
CH
CR
AR
MS
AD
Planning Appendix
This phase of Local Plan production takes place following the result of the Inspector(s) examination. Dependent on the outcome, this can involve adoption of the document through the Council’s democratic process; withdrawal of the document from examination (an acknowledgement that the document cannot be adopted); or legal challenge (either against the Inspector(s) judgement and/or the Council’s decision to adopt the document by an interested third party).
Post-examination
More formally referred to as an Examination in Public (EiP), this phase of Local Plan production involves an examination undertaken by appointed Planning Inspector(s). The document is examined on its legal compliance and soundness, typically through a focus on various issues through hearing sessions and/or written exchanges with interested parties. It can often result in further rounds of consultation, including consideration of new/amended evidence and/or proposed modifications to the document’s content. To pass the examination, an Inspector(s) is required to publish a ‘final report’ that concludes that the document (inclusive of any modifications) is both sound and legally compliant. The Inspector(s) can choose to recommend that the document is not adopted and/or that the document is withdrawn at any stage.
This is often a lengthy process that typically takes 8-24 months.
.
Examination
This phase of Local Plan production represents the chosen strategy, collection of policies and supporting evidence base that a Council considers is legally compliant and sound. The Council are required to undertake consultation on this final position (also known as a pre-submission draft), prior to the submission of the emerging Local Plan document for Examination.
Regulation 19
This phase of Local Plan production involves an exploration of the potential vision, objectives and policy options (including potential development sites) for the defined planned area – including the production and/or review of supporting evidence base documents. This phase can often take place over several consultation stages, including (but not required/limited) to:
• Early evidence gathering (such as questionnaires and internal
evidence gathering)
• Call for sites
• Issues and options
• Preferred options
• Draft policies
Regulation 18
Mid Sussex
MS
Surrey
Please use the map below to reveal the Local Plan position, 5-year housing land supply and recent Housing Delivery Test (HDT) results for the Surrey authorities.
Runnymede
RU
Housing Delivery Test
Proposed changes to the NPPF
Critical calendar dates and events
Adur
10 minute read
november 2020
Carter Jonas continually monitors the planning and development landscape across local authorities to locate and manage opportunities. This quarterly news bulletin provides insight and analysis of the current development climate for clusters of local authorities within the home counties. This quarter we look at Hertfordshire and Essex.
This map illustrates local authorities individual Local Plan positions and their 5-year housing supply
11 local authorities within Surrey
This map illustrates local authorities individual Local Plan positions and their 5-year housing supply
8 local authorities within
West Sussex
EMAIL DAVID
07866 794560
Partner, Planning
David Churchill
EMAIL FRANCIS
07787 282092
Partner, Strategic Land
Francis Truss
Contact the key contributors to this research:
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Worthing
WOR
WOR
E&E
EL
GU
MV
R&B
RU
SP
SH
TA
WA
WO
10 minute read
June 2023
Home Counties
Housing Update
Surrey and West Sussex
Epsom & Ewell
Local Plan position
5-Year Housing Supply
Acro
Authority
E&E
Epsom and Ewell
Epsom & Ewell Local Plan
Emerging
document
Reg 18
Stage
May 2025
Anticipated Adoption
The Plan is at a fairly early stage; Regulation 18 Consultation took place in February / March 2023. Regulation 19 Consultation is scheduled for February / March 2024.
Insight
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Authority Monitoring Report 2020/21
(2020-2026)
Where and
When?
34%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
35%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Epsom and Ewell is 1.9 years (2021) and therefore the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS. The emerging local plan is at a fairly advanced stage and the Council published a Land Availability Assessment in November 2022 which will inform the emerging Plan. Speculative development opportunities could be explored however, as the Council cannot demonstrate 5YHLS, has a poor track record of housing delivery, and is relatively unconstrained by the Green Belt compared to other areas of Surrey.
.
Elmbridge
Local Plan position
Acro
EL
Elmbridge
Authority
Reg 19
Stage
Winter 2023
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Elmbridge Local Plan
Emerging
document
The Plan is at an advanced stage; Regulation 19 Consultation took place in Summer 2022 and the Council are on track to submit the draft Plan for examination in Summer 2023.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Authority Monitoring Report 2020/21
(2021-2026)
Where and
When?
58%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
70%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Elmbridge is 4.36 years (2022), and therefore the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS. The emerging local plan is at a fairly advanced stage and the Council published a Land Availability Assessment in March 2022 which allocates sites for the emerging Plan. This, in tandem with the extensive Green Belt coverage within the district, will limit speculative development opportunities.
.
Reigate & Banstead
Local Plan position
Acro
R&B
Reigate and Banstead
Authority
Reg 18
Stage
July 2027
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Reigate and Banstead Local Plan
Emerging
document
The Reigate and Banstead Core Strategy was adopted in July 2014 and a review of the Core Strategy was completed in June 2019.
The Council has set a timetable to prepare a new Local Plan and will undertake Regulation 18 consultation in Autumn 2023.
.
.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Housing Monitor 2023
(2023-2028)
Where and
When?
120%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
126%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Reigate and Banstead is 6.41 years (2023) and therefore the Council can demonstrate a 5YHLS. The Council has an excellent track record of housing delivery in recent years and this, in tandem with the extensive Green Belt coverage within the Borough, severely limits speculative development opportunities.
Guildford
Local Plan position
Acro
GU
Guildford
Authority
N/A
Stage
N/A
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
No emerging Local Plan
Emerging
document
Local Plan: Development Management Policies was adopted in March 2023 and forms the development plan alongside the Local Plan: Strategy and Sites (adopted in April 2019) and saved policies from the Guildford Local Plan (January 2003).
The Council has not set a timetable to review the plan again but is legally required to do so by March 2028.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Five Year Housing Land Supply Update 01 April 2022 (2022-2027)
Where and
When?
90%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
114%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Guildford is 6.46 years (2023) and therefore the Council can demonstrate a 5YHLS. Speculative development opportunities are also likely to be limited, due to the Council’s excellent record of housing delivery and the significant Green Belt coverage within
the Borough.
.
Mole Valley
Local Plan position
Acro
MV
Mole Valley
Authority
Reg 24
Stage
Winter 2023
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Future Mole Valley Local Plan
Emerging
document
The Plan is at an advanced stage, having been submitted to the SoS for examination in February 2022. Examination has paused since February 2023 with no further updates since.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Five Year Housing Land Supply Annual Review: 2022-2027 (June 2022)
(2022-2027)
Where and
When?
81%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
70%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Mole Valley is 2.9 years (2022) and therefore the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS. Whilst speculative development opportunities could be explored,
the District is significantly constrained by the
Green Belt.
Runnymede
Local Plan position
Acro
RU
Runnymede
Authority
Reg 18
Stage
July 2025
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Runnymede Local
Plan Review
Emerging
document
The Runnymede Local Plan was adopted in July 2020. In December 2022, the Council confirmed that it needs to consider the proposed changes to the NPPF and the possible implications on the Local Plan Review before deciding how best
to proceed.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Runnymede Strategic Land
Availability Assessment 2021
(February 2022)
(2021-2026)
Where and
When?
135%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
109%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Runnymede is 5.82 years (2022) and therefore the Council can demonstrate a 5YHLS. The Council has an excellent track record of housing delivery in recent years and this, in tandem with the extensive Green Belt coverage within the Borough, severely limits speculative development opportunities. The Council has an ongoing Call for Sites but new submissions are unlikely to be included in the Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA) 2022, which will inform the emerging Local Plan.
Reigate & Banstead
Local Plan position
Acro
R&B
Reigate and Banstead
Authority
N/A
Stage
N/A
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
N/A
Emerging
document
The Reigate and Banstead Core Strategy was adopted in July 2014 and a review of the Core Strategy was completed in June 2019.
The Council has not set a timetable to review the plan again but is legally required to do so by
June 2024.
.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Housing Monitor 2021
(2021-2026)
Where and
When?
120%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
126%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Reigate and Banstead is 8.92 years (2021), and the Council has had an excellent track record of housing delivery in recent years. This, in tandem with the extensive Green Belt coverage within the Borough, severely limits speculative development opportunities.
Surrey Heath
Local Plan position
Acro
SH
Surrey Heath
Reigate & Banstead
Local Plan position
Acro
R&B
Reigate and Banstead
Authority
N/A
Stage
N/A
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
N/A
Emerging
document
The Reigate and Banstead Core Strategy was adopted in July 2014 and a review of the Core Strategy was completed in June 2019.
The Council has not set a timetable to review the plan again but is legally required to do so by
June 2024.
.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Housing Monitor 2021
(2021-2026)
Where and
When?
120%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
126%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Reigate and Banstead is 8.92 years (2021), and the Council has had an excellent track record of housing delivery in recent years. This, in tandem with the extensive Green Belt coverage within the Borough, severely limits speculative development opportunities.
Authority
Reg 18
Stage
February 2025
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Surrey Heath Local Plan
Emerging
document
The Plan is at a fairly early stage; Regulation 18 Consultation took place in March-May 2022. Regulation 19 Consultation is scheduled for November 2023 - January 2024.
.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Five-Year Housing Land Supply (December 2022)
(2022-2027)
Where and
When?
124%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
132%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Surrey Heath is 7.41 years (2022) and therefore the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS. The Council has an excellent track record of housing delivery in recent years and this, in tandem with the extensive Green Belt coverage within the Borough, severely limits speculative development opportunities.
Spelthorne
Local Plan Position
Acro
SP
Spelthorne
Reigate & Banstead
Local Plan position
Acro
R&B
Reigate and Banstead
Authority
N/A
Stage
N/A
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
N/A
Emerging
document
The Reigate and Banstead Core Strategy was adopted in July 2014 and a review of the Core Strategy was completed in June 2019.
The Council has not set a timetable to review the plan again but is legally required to do so by
June 2024.
.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Housing Monitor 2021
(2021-2026)
Where and
When?
120%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
126%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Reigate and Banstead is 8.92 years (2021), and the Council has had an excellent track record of housing delivery in recent years. This, in tandem with the extensive Green Belt coverage within the Borough, severely limits speculative development opportunities.
Authority
Reg 24
Stage
September 2023
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Spelthorne Local Plan
Emerging
document
The Plan is at an advanced stage, having been submitted to the SoS for examination in November 2022. The First Public Hearings for the Examination took place in May 2023 but following a decision to pause the Examination for 3 months, further hearings are not expected to take place until Autumn 2023.
.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Local Plan Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply (August 2022)
(2022-2027)
Where and
When?
50%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
69%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Spelthorne is 5.6 years (2022) and therefore the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS. The Council’s position is likely to improve further upon adoption of the new Local Plan and this, in tandem with the extensive Green Belt coverage within the Borough, will limit speculative opportunities.
Tandridge
Local Plan position
Acro
TA
Tandridge
Reigate & Banstead
Local Plan position
Acro
R&B
Reigate and Banstead
Authority
N/A
Stage
N/A
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
N/A
Emerging
document
The Reigate and Banstead Core Strategy was adopted in July 2014 and a review of the Core Strategy was completed in June 2019.
The Council has not set a timetable to review the plan again but is legally required to do so by
June 2024.
.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Housing Monitor 2021
(2021-2026)
Where and
When?
120%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
126%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Reigate and Banstead is 8.92 years (2021), and the Council has had an excellent track record of housing delivery in recent years. This, in tandem with the extensive Green Belt coverage within the Borough, severely limits speculative development opportunities.
Authority
Reg 24
Stage
Summer 2023
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Tandridge
Local Plan
Emerging
document
The Plan is at a very advanced stage, although it has faced considerable delays. It is currently under examination from the Planning Inspector, with adoption anticipated for Summer 2023 at the earliest. There is a slight chance that the plan could be withdrawn should the Inspector conclude that the plan cannot be made sound through main modifications.
.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Authority Monitoring Report 2022
(November 2022)
(2022-2027)
Where and
When?
50%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
38%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Tandridge is 3.02 years (2022) and therefore the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS. There is significant Green Belt coverage within District, although the Council’s housing need is so acute that speculative opportunities should be explored regardless. The emerging local plan is at a very advanced stage, although could be withdrawn, which may also present opportunities.
Waverley
Local Plan position
Acro
WA
Waverley
Reigate & Banstead
Local Plan position
Acro
R&B
Reigate and Banstead
Authority
N/A
Stage
N/A
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
N/A
Emerging
document
The Reigate and Banstead Core Strategy was adopted in July 2014 and a review of the Core Strategy was completed in June 2019.
The Council has not set a timetable to review the plan again but is legally required to do so by
June 2024.
.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Housing Monitor 2021
(2021-2026)
Where and
When?
120%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
126%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Reigate and Banstead is 8.92 years (2021), and the Council has had an excellent track record of housing delivery in recent years. This, in tandem with the extensive Green Belt coverage within the Borough, severely limits speculative development opportunities.
Authority
N/A
Stage
N/A
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
No current emerging
Local Plan
Emerging
document
The Local Plan Part 2: Site Allocations and Development Management Policies was adopted in March 2023 and forms the development plan alongside the Local Plan Part 1 (adopted in February 2018).
The Council has not set a timetable to review the plan again but is legally required to do so by March 2028.
.
.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Five Year Housing Land Supply Position Statement
(November 2022)
(2022-2027)
Where and
When?
98%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
109%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Waverley is 4.9 years (2022) and therefore the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS. The Council has an excellent track record of housing delivery in recent years and this, in tandem with the extensive Green Belt coverage within the Borough, severely limits speculative development opportunities.
Woking
Local Plan position
Acro
WK
Woking
Reigate & Banstead
Local Plan position
Acro
R&B
Reigate and Banstead
Authority
N/A
Stage
N/A
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
N/A
Emerging
document
The Reigate and Banstead Core Strategy was adopted in July 2014 and a review of the Core Strategy was completed in June 2019.
The Council has not set a timetable to review the plan again but is legally required to do so by
June 2024.
.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Housing Monitor 2021
(2021-2026)
Where and
When?
120%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
126%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Reigate and Banstead is 8.92 years (2021), and the Council has had an excellent track record of housing delivery in recent years. This, in tandem with the extensive Green Belt coverage within the Borough, severely limits speculative development opportunities.
Authority
N/A
Stage
N/A
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
No current emerging
Local Plan
Emerging
document
The Woking Core Strategy was adopted in October 2012 and a review of the Core Strategy was undertaken in in October 2018. The development plan also consists of the Development Management Policies DPD (adopted in October 2018) and the Site Allocations DPD (adopted in October 2021).
The Council has not set a timetable to review the plan again but is legally required to do so by October 2026.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Authority Monitoring Report 2020-2021
(December 2022)
(2022-2027)
Where and
When?
80%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
78%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Woking is 9 years (2022) and therefore the Council can demonstrate a 5YHLS with a very strong position. Speculative development opportunities are therefore likely to be severely limited.
Adur
Local Plan position
Acro
AD
Adur
Authority
Reg 18
Stage
Autumn 2023
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Adur Local Plan Review
Emerging
document
The Adur Local Plan was adopted in December 2017. The Council has begun gathering evidence for the Local Plan Review, which included a call for sites which took place November 2021 – January 2022. Regulation 18 consultation is scheduled to take place in Spring 2022, although is yet to
get underway.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Annual Monitoring Report 2019/20 (March 2021)
(2020-2025
Where and
When?
48%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
77%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Adur is 4.8 years (2020). Therefore, the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS. The Council has recently undertaken a call for sites, which may limit opportunities for speculative development.
.
Chichester
Local Plan position
Acro
CH
Chichester
Authority
Reg 19
Stage
Summer / Autumn 2024
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Chichester Local
Plan
Emerging
document
The Plan is at an advanced stage; Regulation 19 Consultation took place in February / March 2023 and the Council intend to submit the draft Plan for examination in Summer 2023.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Housing Land Supply Position Statement
(April 2022) (2022-2027)
Where and
When?
143%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
136%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Chichester is 4.74 years (2022) and therefore the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS. The Council has an excellent record of recent housing delivery, which is likely to limit speculative development opportunities.
.
Horsham
Local Plan position
Acro
H
Horsham
Authority
Reg 18
Stage
Unknown
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Horsham District
Local Plan
Emerging
document
In January 2023, the Council took the decision to delay the Local Plan process until later in the year. Further dates are tbc.
As the Council’s existing Plan was adopted in November 2015, the Council has now exceeded the legal 5-year requirement to adopt a new
Local Plan
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Authority Monitoring Report 2021/22
(December 2022)
(2021-2026)
Where and
When?
155%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
147%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Horsham is 3 years (2022) and therefore the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS. The Council has an excellent record of recent housing delivery, which is likely to limit speculative development opportunities. However, the Council undertake regular housing availability assessments and therefore sites can be submitted anytime. The postponement of the Local Plan may also present speculative development opportunities.
.
Worthing
Local Plan position
Acro
WO
Worthing
Authority
N/A
Stage
N/A
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
No emerging Local Plan
Emerging
document
The Worthing Local Plan was adopted in March 2023.
The Council has not set a timetable to review the plan again but is legally required to do so by March 2028.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Authority Monitoring Report 2021/22
(2022-2027)
Where and
When?
52%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
35%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Worthing is 1.4 years (2022) and therefore the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS. The Council also has a poor recent track record of housing delivery and will accept site submissions at any time as the housing need in the Borough is so great. Speculative opportunities should therefore also be explored.
Arun
Local Plan position
Acro
AR
Arun
Authority
Reg 18
Stage
tbc
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Arun Local Plan Review
Emerging
document
The Arun Local Plan was adopted in July 2018. The adopted Local Development Scheme confirms the Council’s intention to undertake a Local Plan Review, although this has yet to get underway. The Council is legally required to review the Plan by July 2023.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Authority Monitoring Report 2021/22
(January 2023)
(2022-2027)
Where and
When?
61%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
65%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Arun is 2.36 years (2023) and therefore the Council cannot demonstrate a 5YHLS. The Council also has a poor recent track record of housing delivery and speculative opportunities should therefore be explored. The Council will also accept site submissions at any time.
Crawley
Local Plan position
Acro
CR
Crawley
Authority
Reg 19
Stage
Unknown
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Crawley Local Plan Review
Emerging
document
The plan is at a fairly advanced stage; Regulation 19 Consultation opened on 9th May 2023 and is ongoing until 20th June 2023. The Council then intend to submit the draft Plan for examination in July 2023.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Authority Monitoring Report 2020/21
(November 2022)
(2021-2026)
Where and
When?
252%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
406%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Crawley is 7.2 years (2022) and therefore the Council can demonstrate a 5YHLS. This, in tandem with the Council’s excellent recent track record of housing delivery is likely to severely limit opportunities for speculative development. However, the Council accept brownfield site submissions at any time for it’s Brownfield Land Register, which is reviewed at least annually.
Mid Sussex
Local Plan position
Acro
MS
Mid Sussex
Authority
Reg 18
Stage
Summer 2024
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
Mid Sussex District Plan Review
Emerging
document
The Local Plan Review is at a fairly early stage; Regulation 18 Consultation took place in November / December 2022. Regulation 19 Consultation is scheduled for Summer / Autumn 2023.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Report on the Examination of the Mid Sussex Site Allocations Development Plan Document (May 2022)
(2021-2026)
Where and
When?
91%
HDT Score (Action) 2020
124%
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for Mid Sussex is 5.59 years (2022) and therefore the Council can demonstrate a 5YHLS. This, in tandem with the Council’s excellent 2021 for housing delivery is likely to limit opportunities for speculative development. However the emerging Local Plan Review is likely to present opportunities to submit sites.
SD
SD
South Downs
South Downs National Park
Local Plan position
Acro
SD
South Downs National Park
Authority
Reg 18
Stage
TBC
Anticipated Adoption
Insight
South Downs Local Plan Review
Emerging
document
The Local Plan Review is at a very early stage; the Authority are working towards a draft Plan which is anticipated to be published for consultation (Regulation 18) in Autumn 2023.
Further dates are to be confirmed.
Can demonstrate a 5YHLS?
Authority Monitoring Report 2020/2021
(December 2021)
(2021-2026)
Where and
When?
-
HDT Score (Action) 2020
-
HDT Score (Action) 2021
5-Year Housing Supply
Insight
The latest confirmed position for the South Downs National Park is 5.61 years (2022) and therefore the authority can demonstrate a 5YHLS. This, in tandem with the South Downs’ designation as an AONB, will severely limit opportunities for speculative development.
You can keep up to date with Local Plan progression, 5YHLS position and call for sites opportunities through our Live Local Plan Monitor.
You can keep up to date with Local Plan progression, 5YHLS position and call for sites opportunities through our Live Local Plan Monitor.
Planning Appendix
This phase of Local Plan production takes place following the result of the Inspector(s) examination. Dependent on the outcome, this can involve adoption of the document through the Council’s democratic process; withdrawal of the document from examination (an acknowledgement that the document cannot be adopted); or legal challenge (either against the Inspector(s) judgement and/or the Council’s decision to adopt the document by an interested third party).
Post-examination
More formally referred to as an Examination in Public (EiP), this phase of Local Plan production involves an examination undertaken by appointed Planning Inspector(s). The document is examined on its legal compliance and soundness, typically through a focus on various issues through hearing sessions and/or written exchanges with interested parties. It can often result in further rounds of consultation, including consideration of new/amended evidence and/or proposed modifications to the document’s content. To pass the examination, an Inspector(s) is required to publish a ‘final report’ that concludes that the document (inclusive of any modifications) is both sound and legally compliant. The Inspector(s) can choose to recommend that the document is not adopted and/or that the document is withdrawn at any stage.
This is often a lengthy process that typically takes 8-24 months.
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Examination
This phase of Local Plan production represents the chosen strategy, collection of policies and supporting evidence base that a Council considers is legally compliant and sound. The Council are required to undertake consultation on this final position (also known as a pre-submission draft), prior to the submission of the emerging Local Plan document for Examination.
Regulation 19
This phase of Local Plan production involves an exploration of the potential vision, objectives and policy options (including potential development sites) for the defined planned area – including the production and/or review of supporting evidence base documents. This phase can often take place over several consultation stages, including (but not required/limited) to:
• Early evidence gathering (such as questionnaires and internal
evidence gathering)
• Call for sites
• Issues and options
• Preferred options
• Draft policies
Regulation 18
Development drivers
Runnymede is one example of an LPA particularly affected by the changes to the NPPF as the Council has an emerging Local Plan and can demonstrate a 5YHLS. The Council had begun undertaking a review of its Local Plan (adopted in July 2020), but halted work in December 2022 on the emerging Local Plan Review, giving themselves an opportunity to consider whether to proceed with the old-style plans, or to restart the process with the new-style plans, once the NPPF changes come into effect. The decision for the Council is whether to progress with the emerging Plan, avoiding abortive work, or whether to start again from scratch in a more favourable (in terms of their level of control) policy environment, where the Council would no longer have to demonstrate a 5YHLS and would generally have more control over planning policy and the distribution and quantum of new housing in the Borough.
Impact of the proposed NPPF changes on Runnymede
Tandridge District Council has acquired a reputation as being one of the LPAs with the lowest housebuilding delivery relative to housing need - demonstrated by their continued failure to demonstrate a 5YHLS. A recent appeal case for the Construction of 100 dwellings in the Green Belt was allowed, underlining the Council’s weak position at present. The appeal’s inspector concluded that the Council’s ‘persistent housing supply shortfall’ represented a special circumstance justifying the scheme in the protected area.
Councils such as Tandridge are likely to gain greater control from changes to the plan-making process, with less onus on meeting housing targets and more decision-making power sitting with the LPA. Whilst the focus of this particular appeal case has been heavily on Tandridge’s inefficiencies, it is worth highlighting that the scheme will provide 40% affordable housing and the provision of new sports facilities including a club pavilion and football pitches, at a relatively weakly performing Green Belt site.
Appeal allowed in Green Belt in Tandridge for 100 homes due to acute Housing Need
You can keep up to date with Local Plan progression, 5YHLS position and call for sites opportunities through our Live Local Plan Monitor.
SD
Spelthorne‘s Local Plan goes to Examination
Spelthorne Borough Council submitted its draft Local Plan to the Secretary of State on 25th November 2022.
With the Borough heavily constrained by Green Belt land (65% of its area), the Council has taken the decision to only a very small proportion of sites only in the Plan (0.6%). Through this approach, it has set the target of delivering 618 dwellings per annum (dpa) for the plan period (2023 - 2038), in accordance with the standard method. Given the Council’s poor recent track record of housing delivery, there is a need to add a 20% buffer to make a figure of 742 dpa (in accordance with the NPPF). Furthermore, there are implications around such a substantial proportion of housing being delivered on brownfield land (over 73%) such as doubts as to whether the approach can deliver short-term housing completion, given that brownfield sites often involve long lead in times owing to site-specific delivery constraints, and the limited provision of affordable housing, family housing or housing with gardens on such sites.
The first Public Hearings for the Examination took place from 23rd – 25th May. However, following an Extraordinary Council meeting held on 6th June 2023, the Council voted to pause the Examination for 3 months, largely on the basis that newly elected members had not had enough time to consider the policies and implications of the new plan. This pause was subsequently approved by the inspector and it is now expected that the Examination will re-commence in Autumn 2023.
Self-Storage units appeal allowed in Adur
An appeal for the siting of 53 self-storage units was recently allowed in Adur, despite the loss of a non-designated ‘Green corridor’. The Council had refused the application on the basis that the site served as a buffer between residential properties and the railway line, but the appeal was allowed due to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and visual mitigation.
The point of interest is the significant BNG - 52% - to be achieved through proposals for tree-planting and provision of bird and bat boxes and Hedgehog hibernacula on the adjoining land. There is a growing impetus on LPAs and developers to deliver BNG, with the Environment Act 2021 requiring all planning permissions granted in England (with a few exemptions) to deliver at least 10% BNG from November 2023. This may set a precedent for new developments to make use of mitigation sites which have little practical function (whether they be greenfield or brownfield).
EMAIL Ralph
07585 902782
Graduate Planner
Ralph Elliott
EMAIL FRANCIS
07585 902782
Graduate Planner
Ralph Elliot
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