Comment
Town Centre Masterplans
Representation ID: 872
Received: 15/02/2008
Respondent: Home Builders Federation
Rochford and Hockley Town Centre Masterplans
Thank you for consulting the Home Builders Federation (HBF) on the above.
Specific points:
The text states that "this study will help to identify how much capacity for development exists within the town centres of Rochford and Hockley and what level of new development is appropriate, taking into account the local character and historical context of the town centres, to achieve the Council's vision of making the district the place of choice in the county to live, work and visit". The text gives an impression that the Masterplans are seeking to fulfil a role that needs to be undertaken by a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment.
PPS3 now requires the production of Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments, with key input from key stakeholders such as the development industry. These are far more vigorous in their approach, and make it clear that existing commitments will only be able to counted, where there is evidence that they will actually be deliverable.
Annex C of PPS3 states, "a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment should:
- Assess the likely level of housing that could be provided if unimplemented planning permissions were brought into development.
- Assess land availability by identifying buildings or areas of land (including previously developed land and greenfield) that have development potential for housing, including within mixed-use developments.
- Assess the potential level of housing that can be provided on identified land.
- Where appropriate, evaluate past trends in windfall land coming forward for development and estimate the likely future implementation rate.
- Identify constraints that might make a particular site unavailable and/or unviable for development.
- Identify sustainability issues and physical constraints that might make a site unsuitable for development.
- Identify what action could be taken to overcome constraints on particular sites".
Indeed PPS3 requires the production of Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments with key input from key stakeholders such as the development industry. These are far more vigorous in their approach, and make it clear that existing commitments will only be able to counted, where there is evidence that they will actually be deliverable. Any Assessment methodology will need to be discussed with key stakeholders including HBF and its Members as part of any such assessment. Stakeholders will then need to be fully involved throughout the production of the assessment.
Consequently, the likely overall housing supply will not be known until the Council has undertaken a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment in full accordance with national guidance and in conjunction with other key stakeholders. This will examine whether assumptions are realistic or not (e.g. in respect of urban capacity, commitments, future windfalls e.t.c.). It is only at that point that there will be suitable evidence to demonstrate whether the overall housing requirement is likely to be deliverable or not. Furthermore, it must be remembered that the overall requirement figure is a minimum requirement that should be exceeded.
The HBF looks forward to it and its Members being consulted on the draft methodology for the SHLAA. The Federation is keen that these fully accord with national guidance and are not simply rehashed Urban Capacity or Housing Land Availability Studies.
As the HBF Regional Planner I see my role as facilitating and co-ordinating our Member's involvement throughout the SHLAA production process. I expect this will result in them being involved in the Assessment of the developability and deliverability of individual sites.
On behalf of the HBF I will be seeking to ensure that our Members local knowledge can be fully utilised in Assessments.
Unfortunately, the full text in relation to the Masterplans on your Council's website does not appear to be readily accessible. Therefore, I have been unable to view it, and can't comment upon any further matters.
Consultation:
I look forward to being consulted on all future relevant DPD and SPD documents in the future, and would appreciate being notified in writing wherever these documents are being either submitted to the Secretary of State, or being Adopted.
If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. I will of course be happy to help organise any meetings involving our Members necessary during the production of the SHLAA.
Rochford and Hockley Town Centre Masterplans
Thank you for consulting the Home Builders Federation (HBF) on the above.
Specific points:
The text states that "this study will help to identify how much capacity for development exists within the town centres of Rochford and Hockley and what level of new development is appropriate, taking into account the local character and historical context of the town centres, to achieve the Council's vision of making the district the place of choice in the county to live, work and visit". The text gives an impression that the Masterplans are seeking to fulfil a role that needs to be undertaken by a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment.
PPS3 now requires the production of Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments, with key input from key stakeholders such as the development industry. These are far more vigorous in their approach, and make it clear that existing commitments will only be able to counted, where there is evidence that they will actually be deliverable.
Annex C of PPS3 states, "a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment should:
- Assess the likely level of housing that could be provided if unimplemented planning permissions were brought into development.
- Assess land availability by identifying buildings or areas of land (including previously developed land and greenfield) that have development potential for housing, including within mixed-use developments.
- Assess the potential level of housing that can be provided on identified land.
- Where appropriate, evaluate past trends in windfall land coming forward for development and estimate the likely future implementation rate.
- Identify constraints that might make a particular site unavailable and/or unviable for development.
- Identify sustainability issues and physical constraints that might make a site unsuitable for development.
- Identify what action could be taken to overcome constraints on particular sites".
Indeed PPS3 requires the production of Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments with key input from key stakeholders such as the development industry. These are far more vigorous in their approach, and make it clear that existing commitments will only be able to counted, where there is evidence that they will actually be deliverable. Any Assessment methodology will need to be discussed with key stakeholders including HBF and its Members as part of any such assessment. Stakeholders will then need to be fully involved throughout the production of the assessment.
Consequently, the likely overall housing supply will not be known until the Council has undertaken a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment in full accordance with national guidance and in conjunction with other key stakeholders. This will examine whether assumptions are realistic or not (e.g. in respect of urban capacity, commitments, future windfalls e.t.c.). It is only at that point that there will be suitable evidence to demonstrate whether the overall housing requirement is likely to be deliverable or not. Furthermore, it must be remembered that the overall requirement figure is a minimum requirement that should be exceeded.
The HBF looks forward to it and its Members being consulted on the draft methodology for the SHLAA. The Federation is keen that these fully accord with national guidance and are not simply rehashed Urban Capacity or Housing Land Availability Studies.
As the HBF Regional Planner I see my role as facilitating and co-ordinating our Member's involvement throughout the SHLAA production process. I expect this will result in them being involved in the Assessment of the developability and deliverability of individual sites.
On behalf of the HBF I will be seeking to ensure that our Members local knowledge can be fully utilised in Assessments.
Unfortunately, the full text in relation to the Masterplans on your Council's website does not appear to be readily accessible. Therefore, I have been unable to view it, and can't comment upon any further matters.
Consultation:
I look forward to being consulted on all future relevant DPD and SPD documents in the future, and would appreciate being notified in writing wherever these documents are being either submitted to the Secretary of State, or being Adopted.
If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. I will of course be happy to help organise any meetings involving our Members necessary during the production of the SHLAA.