A growing number of local planning authorities are launching Call for Sites exercises, creating important opportunities for landowners, developers and businesses to put forward land for potential future development.
A Call for Sites is a key stage in the local plan-making process. It allows land to be submitted to the local authority so that it can be assessed for its suitability, availability and achievability for future development. Sites submitted through this process may then be considered as part of the Council’s evidence base and, where appropriate, promoted for allocation in an emerging Local Plan.
Securing a site allocation can be extremely valuable. While it does not automatically grant planning permission, it does establish that the principle of development on the land may be acceptable for a specific use. This can significantly strengthen the prospects of a future planning application, subject to detailed technical matters such as access, drainage, ecology, landscape, design and infrastructure being properly addressed.
Importantly, submitting land through a Call for Sites does not mean that you are committed to developing it. However, it can help protect and enhance the future planning potential of your land by ensuring it is properly considered as part of the local plan process.
We are currently seeing an increased number of authorities undertaking Call for Sites exercises. This is partly linked to changes in the standard method for calculating housing need, which has placed greater pressure on many councils to identify suitable land for future housing growth.
Call for Sites exercises are currently open in a number of authority areas, including;
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
- Chesterfield Borough Council
- Greater Norwich Council
- Maidstone Borough Council.
Further opportunities are also expected to come forward across other areas in the coming months.
A strong submission should do more than simply identify a parcel of land. It should clearly explain why the site is suitable, deliverable and capable of contributing positively to future development needs.
If you have land and would like to understand its development potential, Ethical Planning can assist. Our team can review constraints, advise on planning prospects, prepare robust submissions and advocate for your site through the Local Plan process.
Please get in touch with one of our expert planners for more information.