New permissions secure 5 year housing land supply

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has announced that the housing commitments across the District are now considered to meet the Government's requirement that there should be a minimum availability of 5 years' supply of housing land.

The requirement set out by the Government in the National Planning Policy Framework is designed to contribute to its objective of boosting significantly the supply of new housing across the country. 

The District Council is required to use available evidence to objectively assess the need for new homes in the housing market area that suggests a need for some 540 homes per annum in the District over the period 2011 to 2031. 

The period 2011 to 2014 saw only 847 homes built.  This shortfall of 773 against the required annual average also needs to be made good as quickly as possible, meaning that at least 729 homes need to be built each year between now and 2019. 

At April 2014 there is considered to be a supply of 3,951 new homes in the pipeline.  This is the equivalent of 5.4 years supply.

Councillor Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: “We have reached an important milestone.  We understand the need to provide suitable sites for new homes, but developers should no longer be able to promote sites that are at odds with the Council's favoured approach.  Many have sadly secured permissions, contrary to local wishes, because in appeal cases the planning inspectors have given significant weight to the 5 year supply issue, and given less weight to local concerns about aspects of sustainability.

“Whilst acknowledging that we need to maintain a 5 year supply of land, securing it puts the District Council in a stronger place to argue for more sustainable forms of development.  We know that local communities are much more supportive of smaller scale organic growth in our towns and villages."