New Forest District Council (NFDC) is grappling with a significant shortfall in its housing supply, a situation that demands attention and strategic planning
Category
Planner Insight
Region
South East
New Forest District Council (NFDC) is grappling with a significant shortfall in its housing supply, a situation that demands attention and strategic planning. Despite adopting a Local Plan as recently as July 2020, the council’s housing delivery has fallen well short of projections, leaving it with only a three-year supply of land for new homes.
This shortage has far-reaching implications, not only for the council but also for developers, landowners, and the broader community. The council has acknowledged that it is unlikely to fully address the housing deficit before the end of the plan period in 2036, emphasising the need to find a solution the matter.
In response, NFDC is taking proactive steps to address this challenge. The Council is about to commence work on a new local plan, with a Regulation 18 consultation planned for the Summer/Autumn of this year. Additionally, the council will be issuing a call for sites, presenting a prime opportunity for strategic sites to be promoted for development.
For smaller sites and those seeking more immediate opportunities, the council’s inability to demonstrate a robust housing land supply could open doors to unplanned/speculative housing development. As the plan is deemed “out-of-date”, there is potential for successful planning applications, particularly if submitted early next year once the local plan is 5 years old, capitalising on the lapse of the protection afforded by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Moreover, the eastern part of the district falls within the Solent Freeport, an area of national economic importance expected to experience significant job growth. This could further amplify the demand for housing, adding another layer of complexity to the challenge.
The housing delivery test, introduced in 2018, holds local planning authorities accountable for delivering the required number of new homes. Authorities that fail to meet the 95% delivery target face sanctions, with the severity escalating as performance declines. The most recent test results, covering the three years to April 2022, revealed that 101 councils failed to deliver sufficient housing, with 61 facing the NPPF’s presumption in favour of sustainable development – the toughest penalty.
As the NFDC navigates these challenges, it is evident that a collaborative effort between the council, developers, and stakeholders is crucial. Proactive planning, strategic site promotion, and a willingness to explore innovative solutions will be key to addressing the housing shortage and ensuring a sustainable future for the New Forest community.