As part of the Manifesto, Labour has pledged to increase Housing Delivery Targets. The current consultation of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) changes supports this, removing much of the protection to Councils in respect of Housing Land Supply measures, as well as stating that housing delivery for Local Planning Authorities must be in accordance with the latest Standard Method for housing needs.
The New Housing Targets
Alongside the draft NPPF, the Government has also outlined how individual authorities will deliver the expected 370,000 houses per annum. With the removal of the 35% uplift to the largest urban areas, this means that there is substantial uplift for many non-urban authorities, especially those around large cities. Below are some key areas where Aitchison Raffety Planning and Development operates, highlighting the most significant changes based on government-released statistics:
| Authority | Proposed Housing Figure per Annum | Percentage Increase upon Current Method figure (from 2014) |
| Bassett Law, Nottinghamshire | 887 | 341% |
| Blaby, Leicestershire | 559 | 170% |
| Bolsover, Nottinghamshire | 404 | 207% |
| Broxtowe, Nottinghamshire | 658 | 171% |
| Buckinghamshire | 4122 | 142% |
| Cambridge, Cambridgeshire | 1068 | 155% |
| Chelmsford, Essex | 1406 | 154% |
| Chesterfield, Derbyshire | 588 | 277% |
| Dudley, West Midlands | 1594 | 243% |
| Elmbridge, Surrey | 1443 | 221% |
| Hertsmere, Hertfordshire | 959 | 131% |
| Hinckley & Bosworth, Leicestershire | 689 | 159% |
| Lichfield, Staffordshire | 753 | 261% |
| Newark & Sherwood, Nottinghamshire | 730 | 167% |
| West Northamptonshire | 2584 | 122% |
| Nuneaton, Warwickshire | 774 | 184% |
| Oadby & Wigston, Leicestershire | 389 | 196% |
| Shropshire | 2059 | 198% |
| South Oxfordshire, | 1179 | 204% |
| South Staffordshire | 676 | 303% |
| St Albans, Hertfordshire | 1544 | 174% |
| Tamworth, Staffordshire | 444 | 361% |
| Telford & Wrekin, Shropshire | 953 | 206% |
| Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire | 937 | 148% |
What this means for Local Authorities
These new targets are likely to impact local authorities significantly, especially those with substantial increases in their housing figures. Depending on the timing of key stages in new Local Plan preparations, these targets must be met. Whilst there may have been some cross boundary agreements in place to absorb part of the previous urban uplifts, it clearly identifies that there are substantial new opportunities for seeking to meet identified both short and long-term needs of authorities.
Where figures have increased notably, Housing Land Supplies will be significantly reduced, resulting in the ‘tilted balance’ taking effect. This provides a crucial opportunity to secure residential development on a non-allocated site through a planning application.
Future implications and opportunities
Looking ahead, the increased targets mean that more sites will need to be allocated within Local Plans. Although the Government has a ‘brownfield first’ approach, outside of Green Belt areas, extensions to settlements onto surrounding fields will be required. Within authorities that have Green Belt designations, there is now a requirement to meet identified needs in the emerging NPPF, as well as the introduction of ‘Grey Belt’ land (previously developed land within the Green Belt).
The introduction of Grey Belt land, coupled with the possibility to develop Greenfield land that does not meet the five functions of the Green Belt, allows substantial opportunities through both the Local Plan and planning application routes (particularly where the tilted balance exists).
Initial research by third party sources suggests that there are significant ‘Grey Belt’ opportunities within Buckinghamshire, St Albans, Chelmsford, Rochford and Basildon within the London Green Belt.
How we can help
If you have any land and are considering the development options, Aitchison Raffety Planning and Development team is here to help. We can assess the potential of your site and the most appropriate route towards securing development. Please contact one of our team for further assistance:
- Midlands office (Northamptonshire): Andrew Gray 07590 880057 andrew.gray@argroup.co.uk
- Southern office (Hertfordshire): Bruce O’Brien bruce.obrien@argroup.co.uk
- Planning Administration: 01604 880163 planning@argroup.co.uk