Local Plan Reviews & Call for Sites: How to submit and effectively promote your land for development
Find out more about the Government's changes to the planning system and the new mandatory housing targets, plus how to respond to Local Plan reviews & Call for Sites that are OPEN NOW!
Land promotion from Lincolnshire's top-rated planning consultancy - promote your site effectively in local plan reviews and call for sites.
Build, Build, Build! That is the clear message from the Government after they took swift action initiate changes to the planning system in their first few days after taking office. Since then, we have learnt more about how the proposed NPPF revisions, Green Belt reviews and a return to mandatory housing targets will promote a rapid increase in the planning and building of new homes.
If you own land or hold an option agreement to develop a site, exciting opportunities are expected and some Local Plan reviews already underway and Call for Sites are opening. Our team have been busy meeting with clients, developers and landowners alike to discuss how to promote their sites effectively and ensure they are ready to expedite a planning application when the time comes.
What is the timescale? Following a public consultation during autumn 2024, ministers advised that they intend to introduce the changes from late January 2025. Don't delay - at a local level, Local Plan Reviews and Call for Sites are already happening in some areas (such as North East Derbyshire and Newark and Sherwood district). Timescales are tight and subject to change. Check back for regular updates or speak to our team for the latest position in your area.
What do you need to do? Be ready! High-quality, effective and reliable planning representation is vital. Sites need to be promoted in the right way, and at the right time. The window of opportunity in each area is very short and strict, so preparation is key.
Fytche-Taylor's team have hands-on local authority experience having led Local Plan reviews and Call for Sites consultations and as a planning consultancy we hold an excellent track record in securing site allocations for our clients. We know what to present and how to maximise the potential of your site so that it stands out as a credible and deliverable development site. Contact our team today on 01522 581 383 or email i[email protected]
Local round up... Local Plan Reviews in the Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire areas
Keen to learn more about Local Plan Reviews or Call for sites? Our most frequently asked questions are explored below...
What do the return of mandatory housing targets mean for you? Our team have assessed the proposed housing targets for all areas, and they are much higher than you might expect. For instance, in Central Lincolnshire the new annual target will mean allocating land and approving planning permission for 1,676 to new homes per year, every year – which is close to a 60% increase on the existing plans. Elsewhere, it’s even higher – Northumberland for example will see its target jump to 1,769 homes per year – more than three times higher that the council currently plans for.
What is a 'call for sites'? A call for sites is often one of the first steps in a local plan review and involves the local planning authority inviting landowners, developers, and other stakeholders to put forward available land that could be developed for future use. This can include a range of uses, not only for house building. It's very important to submit a strong case when promoting your land, together with an appropriate level of supporting information.
When is a call for sites needed? Usually when planning authorities are in the process of updating or making a new local plan. The process aims to ensure that growth is properly planned to align with the changing needs of the community, to ensure that the area meets its housing targets and to support economic growth. By gathering a comprehensive list of potential sites, councils can prioritise developments that align with their broader vision for the area, ensuring that growth is balanced, sustainable, and responsive to both current and future demands.
Will the mandatory housing targets in the updated NPPF result in a call for sites? Yes – in most cases this will definitely need to happen and is already underway in many parts of the country where the more proactive local planning authorities have responded quickly to the clear messages coming from the Government. Councils must positively seek out more development land, which might include taking a second look at previously rejected sites or even considering Green Belt land. Either way, the Government have said that council's must be ready to act quickly to the changes. This intensifies the urgency of the Call for Sites and Local Plan review process,; in some areas Call For Sites are already underway, in other areas this hasn't started yet.
How can you promote your site and what is included? Timing is vital. When a call for sites is announced in your area there will be a set period (often 4 to 6 weeks) to submit a site. Sites submitted outside of this are unlikely to be considered. To promote your site through the call for sites, it must align with local and national planning priorities, such as sustainability and infrastructure readiness, and be submitted in the way the council requires.
Submitting a well-presented promotion pack that includes technical assessments to demonstrate the site's suitability is always recommended. It is a worthwhile investment to strengthen your case, identify constraints and show how they can be addressed. Sites with little or no supporting information rarely get selected, likewise not properly considering key environmental constraints or infrastructure needs can weaken your submission.
When promoting a site, the inclusion of a high-level masterplan with proposed land uses is a great help too. Employing RTPI chartered planning consultants, such as our top-rated team, can improve your chances in the call for sites process. We will ensure that your submission meets local planning objectives and addresses any important technical requirements. We have an excellent track record in achieving allocated sites for clients.
