More than 500 Wealden sites assessed for housing potential

More than 500 sites suggested for housing in Wealden have been assessed by district council planners and a report on their suitability is to be published next month.

An ‘expert panel’ of senior development control officers, planning policy officers, housing officers and an independent private consultant – employed to provide valuation advice - considered results of site surveys and assessments before the study was completed.

A report to a meeting yesterday, of the Wealden cabinet local development framework sub-committee, stressed the identification of sites as suitable did not imply the council would support their development.

The document, the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, was described as an initial snapshot of housing potential on sites that could be deliverable for housing over the period covered by the adopted South East Plan and by the forthcoming Wealden Core Strategy.

‘It is not a static document but a starting point for identifying the rolling five year supply of suitable housing land required by Government policy.’

The information would be used to help make decisions in plans being prepared as part of the Local Development Framework and site specific policies and proposals would follow in 2011/12.

Organisations and developers were asked in 2008 to suggest sites for development and given until May 2009 to respond.

The South East Plan states 11,000 new homes – 7,000 in South Wealden and 4,000 in North Wealden - are required for the 20 year period 2006-2026.

Follow this link to the report considered by yesterday's sub-committee.

(Added to site Thursday, February 25th, 2010)