Inspector warns Brighton and Hove of unmet housing need in core strategy

The plan sets out the overall strategic vision for the future of Brighton and Hove to 2030, including a local housing target of 11,300 homes.

Following an examination of the draft plan in October, the Inspector appointed to carry out the examination has written (5-page / 83KB PDF) to the Council and said that the plan falls "well short" of meeting the objectively assessed need for new housing in line with the National Planning Policy Framework's requirements.

The Inspector said that the plan's target for the provision of new homes represents only 56.6% of the full objectively assessed need. She said that, although there were "significant constraints to providing land for development" and "competing priorities for any land which may be available", the Council would need to "rigorously assess" all opportunities to meet the housing need.

The Inspector recommended that the Council investigate whether it would be appropriate to make an allowance for windfall sites in the plan, and whether there could be "greater potential" for the delivery of new housing from urban fringe sites.

"I recognise the constraints faced by the Council but if I am to find the Plan sound, notwithstanding such a significant shortfall in the provision of new housing, I would need to be satisfied that the Council had left no stone unturned in seeking to meet as much of this need as possible," the Inspector said.

She added that, depending on the scale of unmet need it may be necessary to reduce the period the plan would cover in order that it can be found sound.