Issue - meetings

The Strategic Housing Lane Availability Assessment (SHLAA0 is a key evidence base document that seeks to identify and account for future potential sources of housing land supply.  The SHLAA should identify a five year supply of specific deliverable sites.  The Committee is asked to note the findings of the SHLAA and agree to its publication.

The Committee:

(1)          Considered the SHLAA and agreed to its publication;

(2)          Noted the findings of the SHLAA 2017 and the five year housing land supply position and housing trajectory against the Objectively Assessed Housing Needs (OAHN) figure;

(3)          Acknowledged that the outputs from the SHLAA would be used to inform the partial review of the Core Strategy.

The Committee received and considered the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA), a key evidence base document which sought to identify and account for future potential sources of housing land supply.

The Council was currently unable to demonstrate a five year supply of housing against the Objectively Assessed Housing Needs (OAHN) figure and, as such, the Core Strategy policy setting a housing target was considered out of date.  However, by proactively planning for future growth, identifying where it should and should not go, the Council would place itself in a stronger position to resist unsustainable levels of growth in the wrong locations.

The SHLAA sought to identify a five year supply of specific deliverable sites, a supply of developable sites for the next 6-10 years and, where possible, for 11-15 years. It was a starting point for the Council in its responsibility to prepare an up to date Local Plan to ensure that there was an adequate land supply to meet the needs of the Borough.

The report highlighted that whilst the sites identified by SHLAA’s were technically considered to be deliverable or developable, this was based upon a subjective judgement.  The identification of potential sites, buildings or areas in the SHLAA did not state or imply that the Council would necessarily grant planning permission for development.  All planning applications would continue to be determined against the appropriate development plan and other relevant considerations.  It was particularly important to recognise this in relation to opportunity sites, some of which were sensitive, especially those in Green Belt. It was stressed that in demonstrating a rigorous approach to its planning process, the Council should not seek to exclude such sites from the SHLAA.  In response to a query regarding the Council’s ability to meet its stated affordable housing target, whilst not directly related to the matter under consideration, it was confirmed that as part of the issues and options stage, the matter of affordability would be considered and viability would form part of that consideration.

Accordingly, the Committee, subject to Officers clarifying the Ward Boundaries in respect of sites171 (Epsom and Ewell High School) and 563 (Land at Fairview Road) and including an entry for West Ewell in Table 3 (Summary of Housing Land Supply 2017-2032 by Ward) as appropriate:

(1)          Agreed to publication of the SHLAA;

(2)          Noted the findings of the SHLAA 2017 and the five year housing land supply position and housing trajectory against the Objectively Assessed Housing Needs (OAHN) figure;

(3)          Acknowledged that the outputs from the SHLAA would be used to inform the partial review of the Core Strategy.