To ensure that an adequate five year supply, a flexible approach needs to be adopted with regards the timing and release of land for residential development. In light of the current economic climate sites that are identified for the period up to 2021, may not come forward for a variety of reasons and need to be augmented by site(s) identified in period post 2021 in order to maintain the 15 year supply. The sites for the period post 2021 should also be delineated in the Allocations Development Plan Document.

The objective of the Local Development Framework is not just about allocating sufficient land to provide new homes but is about ensuring that, subject to the prevailing market conditions, allocations will actually deliver the required amount of housing over the plan period. This relies largely on allocating sites where there is a real prospect (available, suitable and achievable), of delivery within the anticipated timescale. It also requires a mechanism to ensure that sufficient sites are brought forward at the right time to enable delivery.

This approach is consistent with the guidance contained within Planning Policy Statement 3 (PPS3) which advocates local planning authorities maintain a flexible and responsive supply of housing land that reflects the 'Plan, Monitor, Manage' approach. This supports the need for a clear policy approach that indicates the timing of potential housing sites in relation to the housing trajectory and the 5 year supply of land. In addition, to the 5 year supply of deliverable land, PPS3 also requires a further supply of specific, developable sites for years 6-10 and where possible, years 11-15. Sufficient sites will therefore be allocated up to 2026 to meet the 15 year requirement in PPS3. In the event that the market does not deliver sufficient homes to meet requirements, sites will need to be brought forward from future year's allocations to ensure housing delivery targets are met.

As we are currently in a period of recession it is not unreasonable that some of the sites allocated in the early years of the 15 year supply may not come forward as for a combination of reasons the sites may no longer be deliverable (eg no longer available and/or achievable). In addition, it is necessary to provide private housing in order to ensure that the associated/linked affordable housing is also provided.

Therefore, in order to ensure that a continuous 5 year supply is maintained it may be necessary for sites identified in future years to be brought forward and to ensure this happens these sites should also be specifically delineated on the Proposals Map, which accompanies the Allocations Development Plan Document.

Paragraph 4.24 - amend as follows:

In considering the general development locations for post-2021 development, the same issues as for Policy H2 above have been considered. These sites have been assessed for their ability to be delivered early to compensate for any shortfall in the pre-2021 site. The assessment will include a review of available infrastructure and the impact on existing communities to ensure that their early delivery would be appropriate.