The recent change in Government and its proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) have sparked a noticeable surge in activity on the plan making front in recent weeks. North East Derbyshire District Council, Derbyshire Dales, and East Staffordshire Borough Council have issued call for sites and are currently looking for more land for housing, employment and biodiversity sites with other local authorities across the region expected to follow.
If you wish to promote a site, it’s important to get in early to ensure that it informs part of the evidence base that justifies that a local plan is ‘sound’.
Our planners have worked in the public and private sectors and have excellent working relations with Local Planning Authorities across the region. With extensive knowledge about the policies and procedures of individual councils and the approach taken by planning officers and Councillors we can advise on the viability of your site, and help you make the most of these opportunities.
What is a call for sites?
In the UK, local authorities are required to provide up-to-date, informative overview of sites suitable for housing and other kinds of developments. These sites should be documented within the Local Plan and provide sufficient housing for the area to meet the projected need over the length of the local plan.
The call for sites exercise is a special consultation that authorities use to source new potential sites. Property developers and other interested parties can submit their sites or locations to local authorities during the call for sites, which may help select future development sites. At the same time, a neighbourhood plan by a parish or town council might also issue a call for sites, which is another opportunity for submission.
What sites can be submitted?
A call for sites covers the majority of allocated land within the local plan and is therefore relevant to a range of prospective uses. Different councils will obviously have different needs, but the requirement for land for residential development is uniform.
All types of land can be considered including agricultural, equestrian and previously developed land may be submitted.
Usually, sites that are located within or next to the built- up boundaries of existing settlements are likely to be admitted into local and neighbourhood plans.
A call for sites is for sites with development potential for a range of uses and could include:
Residential
Small-scale, medium-scale and large-scale developments may all be submitted to a call for sites. National guidance requires that local authorities must consider all sites that can deliver at least five dwellings.
Self-build or custom build housing sites of one or more dwellings.
Commercial
Some councils are looking for sites that could accommodate commercial development with a floorspace of 500sqm or more. This can include a wide range of commercial uses such as offices, factories or retail.
Other uses
- Biodiversity receptor sites with an area of 500sqm or more. This is the result of new legislation which came in effect earlier this year. Councils are looking for land that can be improved to provide gains in biodiversity across the Local Authority area and be managed for the next 30 plus years as sites dedicated to wildlife enhancement.
- Public Open Space relates to anything from formal parks to football pitches and green space or hard surfaced area (pedestrianised) that provide open access.
- Community Facilities is a broad term which encompasses uses within Use Class F2 of Business and Planning Act 2020
- Gypsy, Travellers or Travelling Showpeople sites of 500sqm or more.
What happens if my site is allocated?
If your site is selected for allocation within a local plan this means that the principle of residential development is acceptable. You will still need to prepare a planning application to show the exact details of the development, but it should mean that permission is granted for housing development.
Councils with current Call for Sites
- Derbyshire Dales District Council: running to December 20th 2024
- East Staffordshire Borough Council: ongoing, deadline for this year’s call for sites is March 31st2025
- North East Derbyshire District Council: running to January 10th 2025
Advice from the Planning Experts – Get in touch
Our RTPI Chartered town planners bring a wealth of experience, having worked in the public and private sectors, and have excellent working relations with Local Planning Authorities.
If you have a site that you think would be suitable, please do get in touch on 01332 347371 or enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk to find out how we can help you realise this opportunity to put your land forward for development and support you through the process. We look forward to hearing from you.
