4. Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Supply Calculations
Comment
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168378
Received: 08/10/2019
Respondent: Foxton Parish Council
Does SCDC have the planning resources to ensure that the 5 year housing supply is met? How will the new outsourcing of certain planning functions of the Greater Cambridge planning department help?
Main Document
Para 24: 157 questionnaire sent to developer/builders of sites which met the criteria. 105 competed questionnaires were returned giving a 67% response rate. It is stated that follow ups to the non-responders were carried out but as there are 52 of these, why was more effort not made to pursue these companies for information? Does this explain why the 2019-2024 five year land supply figure for Greater Cambridge is now 5.3 years whereas earlier this year it was 6 years? What other explanations are there?
Para 45: The 5 year rolling supply for 2019-2024 shows Cambridge having 5 years supply, Greater Cambridge having 5.3 years supply and South Cambridgeshire having 5.4 years supply. How is the overlap of sites in both areas dealt with?
Para 48: The reduction from 6 years supply for 2019-2024 is stated as delivery timetables being slower than anticipated. Apart from the reasons given for this delay -
* 'Market conditions, including static house price growth, low market confidence, products not being favoured by purchasers, reduced land value and aborted sale of land to a developer;
* Brexit and the uncertain political climate;
* Rising construction costs, including shortage of labour and materials;
* Site specific issues, such as carrying out habitat relocation at the correct time, archaeological investigations, relocation of the existing uses(s), securing site access and multiple landowners,
* Planning obligations and viability of the proposed development,
* Planning enforcement action being taken,
* Delays in determining planning applications and discharge of conditions applications and,
* Delays in the adoption of the Local Plans.'
What planning measures are being put in place to assist developers in keeping or making up the time loss? How will the new outsourcing of certain planning functions of the Greater Cambridge planning department help?
Para 53: Both councils have taken the 5 year housing supply from 2019-2024 to be 5.3 years. How can we be certain that this is accurate? Are there any figures to predict if this 5.3 will remain constant up to 2024 or could the 5 year housing supply drop below the critical 5 years thus opening up the whole of Greater Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire in particular to speculative development again?
As a general point, does SCDC have the planning resources to ensure that the 5 year housing supply is met?
Comment
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168380
Received: 08/10/2019
Respondent: Foxton Parish Council
Para 48: The reduction from 6 years supply for 2019-2024 is stated as delivery timetables being slower than anticipated. Apart from the other reasons given for this delay. What planning measures are being put in place to assist developers in keeping or making up the time loss?
Main Document
Para 24: 157 questionnaire sent to developer/builders of sites which met the criteria. 105 competed questionnaires were returned giving a 67% response rate. It is stated that follow ups to the non-responders were carried out but as there are 52 of these, why was more effort not made to pursue these companies for information? Does this explain why the 2019-2024 five year land supply figure for Greater Cambridge is now 5.3 years whereas earlier this year it was 6 years? What other explanations are there?
Para 45: The 5 year rolling supply for 2019-2024 shows Cambridge having 5 years supply, Greater Cambridge having 5.3 years supply and South Cambridgeshire having 5.4 years supply. How is the overlap of sites in both areas dealt with?
Para 48: The reduction from 6 years supply for 2019-2024 is stated as delivery timetables being slower than anticipated. Apart from the reasons given for this delay -
* 'Market conditions, including static house price growth, low market confidence, products not being favoured by purchasers, reduced land value and aborted sale of land to a developer;
* Brexit and the uncertain political climate;
* Rising construction costs, including shortage of labour and materials;
* Site specific issues, such as carrying out habitat relocation at the correct time, archaeological investigations, relocation of the existing uses(s), securing site access and multiple landowners,
* Planning obligations and viability of the proposed development,
* Planning enforcement action being taken,
* Delays in determining planning applications and discharge of conditions applications and,
* Delays in the adoption of the Local Plans.'
What planning measures are being put in place to assist developers in keeping or making up the time loss? How will the new outsourcing of certain planning functions of the Greater Cambridge planning department help?
Para 53: Both councils have taken the 5 year housing supply from 2019-2024 to be 5.3 years. How can we be certain that this is accurate? Are there any figures to predict if this 5.3 will remain constant up to 2024 or could the 5 year housing supply drop below the critical 5 years thus opening up the whole of Greater Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire in particular to speculative development again?
As a general point, does SCDC have the planning resources to ensure that the 5 year housing supply is met?
Comment
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168381
Received: 08/10/2019
Respondent: Foxton Parish Council
Para 45: The 5 year rolling supply for 2019-2024 shows Cambridge having 5 years supply, Greater Cambridge having 5.3 years supply and South Cambridgeshire having 5.4 years supply. How is the overlap of sites in both areas dealt with?
Main Document
Para 24: 157 questionnaire sent to developer/builders of sites which met the criteria. 105 competed questionnaires were returned giving a 67% response rate. It is stated that follow ups to the non-responders were carried out but as there are 52 of these, why was more effort not made to pursue these companies for information? Does this explain why the 2019-2024 five year land supply figure for Greater Cambridge is now 5.3 years whereas earlier this year it was 6 years? What other explanations are there?
Para 45: The 5 year rolling supply for 2019-2024 shows Cambridge having 5 years supply, Greater Cambridge having 5.3 years supply and South Cambridgeshire having 5.4 years supply. How is the overlap of sites in both areas dealt with?
Para 48: The reduction from 6 years supply for 2019-2024 is stated as delivery timetables being slower than anticipated. Apart from the reasons given for this delay -
* 'Market conditions, including static house price growth, low market confidence, products not being favoured by purchasers, reduced land value and aborted sale of land to a developer;
* Brexit and the uncertain political climate;
* Rising construction costs, including shortage of labour and materials;
* Site specific issues, such as carrying out habitat relocation at the correct time, archaeological investigations, relocation of the existing uses(s), securing site access and multiple landowners,
* Planning obligations and viability of the proposed development,
* Planning enforcement action being taken,
* Delays in determining planning applications and discharge of conditions applications and,
* Delays in the adoption of the Local Plans.'
What planning measures are being put in place to assist developers in keeping or making up the time loss? How will the new outsourcing of certain planning functions of the Greater Cambridge planning department help?
Para 53: Both councils have taken the 5 year housing supply from 2019-2024 to be 5.3 years. How can we be certain that this is accurate? Are there any figures to predict if this 5.3 will remain constant up to 2024 or could the 5 year housing supply drop below the critical 5 years thus opening up the whole of Greater Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire in particular to speculative development again?
As a general point, does SCDC have the planning resources to ensure that the 5 year housing supply is met?
Comment
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168411
Received: 14/10/2019
Respondent: MacTaggart and Mickel
Agent: Rapleys LLP
As required by the respective adopted Local Plans, the 5YHLS has been calculated on a joint basis having regard to the combined housing requirement in the plan period 2011 to 2031, and the housing trajectory of both Councils. On this basis, no comments to make on the housing requirement, the buffer (20%), or the approach to the shortfall informing the 5YHLS calculation.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168417
Received: 14/10/2019
Respondent: Abbey Properties Cambridgeshire Limited
It is disappointing that the document makes no allowance for the use of the housing figure for either Council (or a combined one) which could be calculated from the use of the standard methodology for housing need: such an approach is advocated under paragraph 60 of the NPPF.
We would have expected this to be included if only to provide a potential scenario arising from an alternative approach. By our calculation the housing need for South Cambridgeshire would be 1,113 dwellings per year which is a considerable increase to the 975 dwellings per annum which is assumed within the document.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168418
Received: 14/10/2019
Respondent: Abbey Properties Cambridgeshire Limited
It is concerning to note from paragraphs 4 to 6 that the Council makes no reference to the updated Planning Practice Guidance in respect of national guidance in relation to the status of combined plans (as the guidance in force when the Local Plan was adopted has now changed). We would have expected the Council to consider this given the change in policy wording.
Comment
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168445
Received: 14/10/2019
Respondent: Gladman Developments
Gladman note that whilst the Councils calculate their housing land supply jointly, this document sets out the position in relation to South Cambridgeshire, Cambridge City and Greater Cambridge. Gladman support this approach and believe it is useful to be able to see the three separate calculations.
Whilst Gladman would normally advocate the use of the Sedgefield method, it is acknowledged that in this case the Liverpool approach was recently endorsed through the Local Plan examination and therefore in the absence of any material changes remains appropriate.
It is acknowledged that a 20% buffer is applicable. It is important that the housing land supply in Greater Cambridge is refreshed with a constant stream of new planning permissions to ensure that a five-year supply can be maintained. The five-year requirement with 20% buffer is only a minimum requirement, and the Council should aim to adopt a five-year supply position which is in excess of this to ensure that housing delivery is consistent.
Object
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168453
Received: 14/10/2019
Respondent: Pigeon Land Ltd
Agent: Savills
Generally, the methodology used to calculate the five year housing requirement is in accordance with the conclusions reached during the Examination of the Local Plans. It should be noted that if housing supply had remained to be calculated on an individual basis, the document would demonstrate a 5YHLS of approximately 4.3 years in Cambridge and 5.4 years in South Cambridgeshire.
The figures in Table 4 in respect of Cambridge would be incorrect if read alone, as they take into account the over-supply up to 31 March 2019 when calculating the five-year requirement.
If the Sedgefield method were to be applied the 5YHLS would be approximately 4.3 (4.26) years in Cambridge and 4.5 (4.53) years in South Cambridgeshire, or approximately 5.1 (5.06) years in Greater Cambridge.
Object
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168488
Received: 14/10/2019
Respondent: Endurance Estates
Agent: Carter Jonas
Paragraph 028 of the NPPG is considered to provide useful clarification regarding the Councils' position that the housing trajectories for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire will be considered together for the purposes of phasing of housing delivery, including for calculating 5-year housing land supply. The guidance is clear in that this applies to areas with joint local plans. South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council do not have a joint local plan and their respective plans contain annual housing requirement figures on a single authority basis. It is not, therefore, considered that the Councils' considering their housing trajectories together for the purpose of calculating five year housing land supply accords with national guidance.
The information contained within the uploaded Housing Land Supply Assessment makes clear that the Councils', whether considered separately or jointly, are not able to demonstrate a five year housing land supply of deliverable sites in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF.
Object
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168504
Received: 14/10/2019
Respondent: Laragh House Developments Limited
Agent: Carter Jonas
Paragraph 028 of the NPPG is considered to provide useful clarification regarding the Councils' position that the housing trajectories for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire will be considered together for the purposes of phasing of housing delivery, including for calculating 5-year housing land supply. The guidance is clear in that this applies to areas with joint local plans. South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council do not have a joint local plan and their respective plans contain annual housing requirement figures on a single authority basis. It is not, therefore, considered that the Councils' considering their housing trajectories together for the purpose of calculating five year housing land supply accords with national guidance.
The information contained within the uploaded Housing Land Supply Assessment makes clear that the Councils', whether considered separately or jointly, are not able to demonstrate a five year housing land supply of deliverable sites in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF.
Object
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168517
Received: 14/10/2019
Respondent: Bloor Homes Eastern
Agent: Carter Jonas
Paragraph 028 of the NPPG is considered to provide useful clarification regarding the Councils' position that the housing trajectories for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire will be considered together for the purposes of phasing of housing delivery, including for calculating 5-year housing land supply. The guidance is clear in that this applies to areas with joint local plans. South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council do not have a joint local plan and their respective plans contain annual housing requirement figures on a single authority basis. It is not, therefore, considered that the Councils' considering their housing trajectories together for the purpose of calculating five year housing land supply accords with national guidance.
The information contained within the uploaded Housing Land Supply Assessment makes clear that the Councils', whether considered separately or jointly, are not able to demonstrate a five year housing land supply of deliverable sites in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF.
Object
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168531
Received: 14/10/2019
Respondent: Axis Land Partnerships
Agent: Carter Jonas
Paragraph 028 of the NPPG is considered to provide useful clarification regarding the Councils' position that the housing trajectories for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire will be considered together for the purposes of phasing of housing delivery, including for calculating 5-year housing land supply. The guidance is clear in that this applies to areas with joint local plans. South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council do not have a joint local plan and their respective plans contain annual housing requirement figures on a single authority basis. It is not, therefore, considered that the Councils' considering their housing trajectories together for the purpose of calculating five year housing land supply accords with national guidance.
The information contained within the uploaded Housing Land Supply Assessment makes clear that the Councils', whether considered separately or jointly, are not able to demonstrate a five year housing land supply of deliverable sites in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF.
Object
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168546
Received: 14/10/2019
Respondent: Bloomhall Ltd
Agent: Carter Jonas
Paragraph 028 of the NPPG is considered to provide useful clarification regarding the Councils' position that the housing trajectories for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire will be considered together for the purposes of phasing of housing delivery, including for calculating 5-year housing land supply. The guidance is clear in that this applies to areas with joint local plans. South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council do not have a joint local plan and their respective plans contain annual housing requirement figures on a single authority basis. It is not, therefore, considered that the Councils' considering their housing trajectories together for the purpose of calculating five year housing land supply accords with national guidance.
The information contained within the uploaded Housing Land Supply Assessment makes clear that the Councils', whether considered separately or jointly, are not able to demonstrate a five year housing land supply of deliverable sites in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF.
Support
Greater Cambridge Housing Trajectory and Five Year Housing Land Supply - Main Document
Representation ID: 168559
Received: 14/10/2019
Respondent: Bidwells
There is no dispute regarding the housing requirement as set out in Figure 4.