Page 25 - West Country View

National Planning Policy Framework puts focus on housing delivery
Our planning department has been exceedingly busy over the past few months with several planning applications for housing approved, especially in the South Somerset area, recognising the continued strength of the residential land market and the appetite of small and medium sized developers.
From Axbridge to Chard, through to Norton Sub Hambdon and Martock, the demand for residential development sites is strong and with the recent publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which focuses on housing delivery, it should also help provide new opportunities for much needed homes in the South West.
This is good news, not just for developers but for
local communities as it also places importance on the Neighbourhood Planning process providing communities with the means to influence planning and development at a local level.
From November 2018, councils will also have a new standard methodology for assessing housing need to increase the number of homes delivered each year. This places pressure on local planning authorities to review and determine applications as quickly as possible, while the
Housing Delivery Test is designed to increase the number of homes actually built in an area rather than how many are planned for.
GTH planning consultant Claire Alers-Hankey said: “The long-awaited publication of the revised NPPF has set out
a number of revisions, with a strong focus on housing delivery. There are a number of opportunities for housing development in various locations, including rural areas
and villages, small and medium sized sites and brownfield land. Also of interest is the standardised methodology for assessing housing need, and greater accountability for local planning authorities to deliver on their housing targets. High design standards are also referred to as an essential part of the planning process.”
If you would like advice on any aspect of the new framework or planning matters in general, please give one of our experienced planning team a call on 01823 334466.
Claire Alers-Hankey BSc MSc MRTPI Claire is a chartered member of
the Royal Town Planning Institute, worked ten years as a planning officer and provides a range of planning consultancy services from appraisals through to project management on major development proposals.
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