South Staffordshire District Council has launched a new Call for Sites, inviting landowners, developers and interested parties to put forward land for consideration as part of the emerging Local Plan process.
The deadline for submissions is 22 July, meaning there is a limited window for landowners to consider whether their site could have future development potential.
A Call for Sites is an important stage in local plan-making. It allows the Council to identify land that may be suitable, available and achievable for future development. Sites submitted through this process can then be assessed as part of the Council’s evidence base and may, where appropriate, be considered for allocation in the Local Plan.
A site allocation can be extremely valuable. While it does not automatically grant planning permission, it means the local planning authority has accepted that development on the land is appropriate in principle for a particular use. This can significantly strengthen the prospects of a future planning application, subject to technical matters such as access, drainage, ecology, landscape, design and infrastructure being properly addressed.
South Staffordshire is particularly interested in identifying appropriate sites for future housing growth, with the Council’s identified housing need standing at 648 homes per year. This creates an important opportunity for landowners with sites that may be capable of contributing to future housing delivery.
However, simply submitting land is not enough. A strong Call for Sites submission should clearly explain why the land is suitable for development, how it relates to nearby settlements, whether it can be accessed safely, and whether there are any constraints that may affect delivery. Early planning input can help identify the strengths and weaknesses of a site before it is promoted.
At Ethical Planning, our team of chartered planners can advise on site suitability, planning potential and the submission process. We can prepare clear, robust representations designed to give your land the best possible chance of being properly considered.
If you own land in South Staffordshire and would like to explore whether it could be suitable for future allocation, please contact our team by clicking here or emailing planning@ethicalplanning.co.uk.