NPPF Chapter 5: Delivering a Sufficient Supply of Homes

NPPF Chapter 5: Delivering a Sufficient Supply of Homes

Paragraph 60. To support the Government's objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes, it is important that a sufficient amount and variety of land can come forward where it is needed, that the needs of groups with specific housing requirements are addressed and that land with permission is developed without unnecessary delay.

Paragraph 61. To determine the minimum number of homes needed, strategic policies should be informed by a local housing need assessment, conducted using the standard method in national planning guidance. The outcome of the standard method is an advisory starting-point for establishing a housing requirement for the area.

Paragraph 63. Where a need for affordable housing is identified, planning policies should specify the type of affordable housing required, and expect it to be met on-site unless:
a) off-site provision or an appropriate financial contribution in lieu can be robustly justified; and
b) the agreed approach contributes to the objective of creating mixed and balanced communities.

Paragraph 64. Provision of affordable housing should not be sought for residential developments that are not major developments, other than in designated rural areas (where policies may set out a lower threshold of 5 units or fewer).

Paragraph 65. Where major development involving the provision of housing is proposed, planning policies and decisions should expect at least 10% of the total number of homes to be available for affordable home ownership, unless this would exceed the level of affordable housing required in the area, or significantly prejudice the ability to meet the identified affordable housing needs of specific groups.

Paragraph 74. Local planning authorities should identify and update annually a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide a minimum of five years' worth of housing against their housing requirement set out in adopted strategic policies, or against their local housing need where the strategic policies are more than five years old. The supply of specific deliverable sites should in addition include a buffer (moved forward from later in the plan period) of:
a) 5% to ensure choice and competition in the market for land; or
b) 10% where the local planning authority wishes to demonstrate a five year supply of deliverable sites through an annual position statement; or
c) 20% where there has been significant under-delivery of housing over the previous three years, to improve the prospect of achieving the planned supply.

Paragraph 75. A five year supply of deliverable housing sites, with the appropriate buffer, can be demonstrated where it has been established in a recently adopted plan, or in a subsequent annual position statement which:
a) has been produced through engagement with developers and others who have an interest in the sites;
b) is based upon and is consistent with the definition of deliverable in the glossary of this Framework; and
c) is published in April each year.

Paragraph 76. The supply of homes can be measured in relation to the housing requirement set out in adopted strategic policies, or against local housing need taking account of any previous under-supply as set out in national planning guidance.

Paragraph 77. In rural areas, planning policies and decisions should be responsive to local circumstances and support housing developments that reflect local needs. Local planning authorities should support opportunities to bring forward rural exception sites that will provide affordable housing to meet identified local needs, and consider whether allowing some market housing on these sites would help to facilitate this.