Mark Fessey
@markfessey.bsky.social
All round local plan enthusiast (not just housing targets), mainly looking to point out that whilst plan-making is complicated, the underlying principle (balancing interests spatially) is clear.
It's definitely not the EA. They just comment on specific things, inc flood risk and water. Nothing on CC mitigation. Most plans say that net zero is their #1 objective, and then no organisation has anything to say about it thru consultation, which is pretty crazy. I wrote something (LI).
January 31, 2025 at 9:02 AM
It's definitely not the EA. They just comment on specific things, inc flood risk and water. Nothing on CC mitigation. Most plans say that net zero is their #1 objective, and then no organisation has anything to say about it thru consultation, which is pretty crazy. I wrote something (LI).
Sport England local plan reps are indeed typically painful, but not sure the answer is to cancel them. I think splitting local plan and application stat consultees is key. For LPs, I think we need a climate change mitigation stat consultee (hence question a moratorium on any new ones).
January 30, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Sport England local plan reps are indeed typically painful, but not sure the answer is to cancel them. I think splitting local plan and application stat consultees is key. For LPs, I think we need a climate change mitigation stat consultee (hence question a moratorium on any new ones).
Yeah, it all gets looked at. Saffron Walden badly needs strategic planning after loads of recent presumption piecemeal.
January 26, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Yeah, it all gets looked at. Saffron Walden badly needs strategic planning after loads of recent presumption piecemeal.
It's all quite a unique situation there with the Audley end estate. Rolling chalk stream landscape.
January 26, 2025 at 9:15 AM
It's all quite a unique situation there with the Audley end estate. Rolling chalk stream landscape.
Finally, if there is a performance issue then there is a need to 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞 via: ✏️ An action plan; 🏠 Application of the presumption in favour of granting permission; and/or 🔍 Plan-making.
January 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Finally, if there is a performance issue then there is a need to 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞 via: ✏️ An action plan; 🏠 Application of the presumption in favour of granting permission; and/or 🔍 Plan-making.
Then the task is to 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 performance using: A) the Housing Delivery Test, which looks back; and B) the Housing Land Supply (Test), which looks forward. The Government sets our performance criteria and penalties and the NPPF.
January 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Then the task is to 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 performance using: A) the Housing Delivery Test, which looks back; and B) the Housing Land Supply (Test), which looks forward. The Government sets our performance criteria and penalties and the NPPF.
The task is then to 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 and 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭 supply. On the latter, see NPPF para 78 and also note a need to account for conclusions reached by Inspectors at S78 appeals.
Again, LPAs should communicate the latest supply position on an ongoing basis.
Again, LPAs should communicate the latest supply position on an ongoing basis.
January 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
The task is then to 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 and 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭 supply. On the latter, see NPPF para 78 and also note a need to account for conclusions reached by Inspectors at S78 appeals.
Again, LPAs should communicate the latest supply position on an ongoing basis.
Again, LPAs should communicate the latest supply position on an ongoing basis.
* unless the adopted plan has been "reviewed" under R10a of the Planning Regs (2012) and been found not to need… updating / review.
Also, be aware that local plans often include a 'stepped' requirement. Ultimately, every LPA should communicate the current requirement on an ongoing basis.
Also, be aware that local plans often include a 'stepped' requirement. Ultimately, every LPA should communicate the current requirement on an ongoing basis.
January 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
* unless the adopted plan has been "reviewed" under R10a of the Planning Regs (2012) and been found not to need… updating / review.
Also, be aware that local plans often include a 'stepped' requirement. Ultimately, every LPA should communicate the current requirement on an ongoing basis.
Also, be aware that local plans often include a 'stepped' requirement. Ultimately, every LPA should communicate the current requirement on an ongoing basis.
𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Ideally the housing requirement for plan implementation will be the local plan housing requirement. However, if the plan is more than five years old then the housing requirement for plan implementation is SM need. *
Ideally the housing requirement for plan implementation will be the local plan housing requirement. However, if the plan is more than five years old then the housing requirement for plan implementation is SM need. *
January 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Ideally the housing requirement for plan implementation will be the local plan housing requirement. However, if the plan is more than five years old then the housing requirement for plan implementation is SM need. *
Ideally the housing requirement for plan implementation will be the local plan housing requirement. However, if the plan is more than five years old then the housing requirement for plan implementation is SM need. *
𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠
Standard method (SM) need is the starting point, and then plan-making leads to a housing requirement. In the great majority of cases the housing requirement will equate to SM need, but sometimes it will depart.
Standard method (SM) need is the starting point, and then plan-making leads to a housing requirement. In the great majority of cases the housing requirement will equate to SM need, but sometimes it will depart.
January 24, 2025 at 3:13 PM
𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠
Standard method (SM) need is the starting point, and then plan-making leads to a housing requirement. In the great majority of cases the housing requirement will equate to SM need, but sometimes it will depart.
Standard method (SM) need is the starting point, and then plan-making leads to a housing requirement. In the great majority of cases the housing requirement will equate to SM need, but sometimes it will depart.
Is Dan one of the players. I've only seen a couple of episodes of this season. I've long stuggled to watch it because the whole thing about late arrivals to the breakfast room being near guaranteed faithful (and likely faithful that have been shortlisted)! Maybe they film it differently though.
January 9, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Is Dan one of the players. I've only seen a couple of episodes of this season. I've long stuggled to watch it because the whole thing about late arrivals to the breakfast room being near guaranteed faithful (and likely faithful that have been shortlisted)! Maybe they film it differently though.
Yes, definitely. It is very useful to present this info. Ideally there might also be some way of drawing attention to the matter of the housing requirement set by the local plan, where there is one that is up-to-date.
January 9, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Yes, definitely. It is very useful to present this info. Ideally there might also be some way of drawing attention to the matter of the housing requirement set by the local plan, where there is one that is up-to-date.
Hmm, but for me distinction between need and requirement is fundamental rather than a nuance!
January 9, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Hmm, but for me distinction between need and requirement is fundamental rather than a nuance!
Interesting. Recommended for approval (and the report has a v neat summary, hurrah), so OK with passing judgement on this one! Here's the location. I always wonder if such things could feasibly support local growth (Aylesbury, North Bucks, MK; there are grid issues), or not as it's all just NG.
December 21, 2024 at 10:11 AM
Interesting. Recommended for approval (and the report has a v neat summary, hurrah), so OK with passing judgement on this one! Here's the location. I always wonder if such things could feasibly support local growth (Aylesbury, North Bucks, MK; there are grid issues), or not as it's all just NG.
Yep, that's all it is. Procedural I know!
December 13, 2024 at 9:19 AM
Yep, that's all it is. Procedural I know!
Just that high growth has 'impacts' / 'effects' / 'outcomes', both positive and negative, that need to be assessed and weighed before reaching a decision (definition of justification). It's what I do and could link to my current reports for cherwell, epsom, wokingham, dacorum, st albans, others.
December 13, 2024 at 8:45 AM
Just that high growth has 'impacts' / 'effects' / 'outcomes', both positive and negative, that need to be assessed and weighed before reaching a decision (definition of justification). It's what I do and could link to my current reports for cherwell, epsom, wokingham, dacorum, st albans, others.
So, there's been plenty of local plans over the years that have gone with housing requirement > need. Trying to think of the best example! Guildford is coming to mind (Woking's unmet need). Not saying it's been a problem, but no doubt always certain concerns, hence a need for justification.
December 12, 2024 at 5:41 PM
So, there's been plenty of local plans over the years that have gone with housing requirement > need. Trying to think of the best example! Guildford is coming to mind (Woking's unmet need). Not saying it's been a problem, but no doubt always certain concerns, hence a need for justification.
Planning for high growth, by which I mean a housing requirement (third para) set above need (first para) isn't uncommon... so it's quite a shout to say that this now "should not normally have to be thoroughly justified at examination"..
December 12, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Planning for high growth, by which I mean a housing requirement (third para) set above need (first para) isn't uncommon... so it's quite a shout to say that this now "should not normally have to be thoroughly justified at examination"..
So... plans submitted without supply sufficient to achieve this will have to boost supply thru the examination in public, perhaps. That's never an entirely straightforward exercise.
December 12, 2024 at 2:39 PM
So... plans submitted without supply sufficient to achieve this will have to boost supply thru the examination in public, perhaps. That's never an entirely straightforward exercise.