Para 11b of the NPPF states "strategic policies should, as a
minimum, provide for objectively assessed needs for housing and other
uses, as well as any needs that cannot be met within neighbouring
areas, unless:
i. the application of policies in this Framework that protect areas
or assets of particular importance provides a strong reason for
restricting the overall scale, type or distribution of development in
the plan area"
And footnote 6 adds: "The policies referred to are those in this
Framework (rather than those in development plans) relating to:
habitats sites (and those sites listed in paragraph 176) and/or
designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest; land designated as
Green Belt, Local Green Space, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
a National Park (or within the Broads Authority) or defined as
Heritage Coast; irreplaceable habitats; designated heritage assets
(and other heritage assets of archaeological interest referred to in
footnote 63); and areas at risk of flooding or coastal change."
Is there any LPA which prepared a plan with a housing requirement
less than the standard method figure, due to constraints such as SSSI,
Green Belt, AONBs or other designations?
My impression is that most LPAs seem to chicken out and remove sites
from the green belt to be able to meet "standard method
figures" rather than justifying a lower figure by pointing out
constraints. E.g. Spelthorne is planning for 603 houses/year using the
standard method, although they are heavily constrained by green belt
designations and reservoirs. (https://consult.spelthorne.gov.uk/consult.ti/DraftLocalPlan/viewCompoundDoc?docid=11065172&partid=11105204&sessionid=&voteid=#in_toc_12_ID_11105204)
many thanks
