Binding Housing Requirement

The 'Planning for the Future' White Paper proposes that there would be a binding housing requirement introduced using a revised standard methodology. The aim would be to increase the supply of land available for new homes where it is needed to address affordability pressures, support economic growth and the renewal of towns and cities, and to create a more competitive housing market, The least affordable places where under-supply have been most acute will be required to take a greater share of future development.

It is proposed that the standard method should factor in the need to take into account the practical limitations of some areas, such as those in National Parks, areas of heritage assets, environmental value areas, Green Belt and flood risk. It should also take into account the need to make provision for other uses such as employment use. Development of brownfield land will be prioritised.

Land should be allocated to provide homes for a minimum of 10 years, to include a buffer for choice and non-completions.

Authorities would be allowed to agree an alternative distribution of their housing requirement in the context of joint planning arrangements such as for combined authorities.

The Housing Delivery Test and the presumption in favour of sustainable development would be retained as part of the new system.