Dorset Council has this morning published the 5 year housing land supply and Housing delivery test figure for 2021. The 5 year housing land supply for Purbeck is stated to currently be 1.23 years.
Alan Davies (Associate Director) stated ‘Whilst the initial reading of the figures suggest that for the former Purbeck District Council area cannot demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply, upon reading the report behind the headline figure, it states ‘for the purposes of this report all development schemes that have not commenced have been removed from within the 5-year housing land supply as currently none are able to demonstrate nutrient (both phosphorous and nitrogen) neutrality and therefore their delivery within the five-year period is uncertain. Subject to updated guidance from Natural England, we will review and publish a revised version of this report’. This being the case, once those issues are resolved – and the revised version of the report is published, the figure could change immediately to one where a 5 year housing supply can be demonstrated. So, in reality, the figure is somewhat misleading and likely to remain at 1.23 years for only a very limited time’.
In regard to the former North Dorset area, Chapman Lily Planning are aware of an appeal decision published this week, stating that North Dorset have a 4.35 year housing land supply. The Inspector stated ‘The Council is not able to demonstrate a 5 year HLS and I have found the figure to be 4.35 years’ worth of supply. Furthermore, there is a poor record of recent completions identified through the Housing Delivery Test (HDT) whereby delivery of housing was substantially below (less than 75% of) the housing requirement over the previous three years. As such, having regard to paragraph 11(d) of the Framework, the most important policies for determining the appeal are out-of-date and the tilted balance is engaged’.
If you would like any further information on any of the topics in this post, please do not hesitate to get in contact with Chapman Lily Planning.
Alan Davies BSc (hons) DTP MA MRTPI Associate Director