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The council is carrying out a joint Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) with Sefton and West Lancashire Councils, in addition to a joint Employment Land and Premises Study (ELPS) with Halton Council.

This will identify land and premises suitable for either housing or employment uses, or a mixture of the two, and assess how much development each site can accommodate and when they are likely to be delivered.  They will inform preparation of the Local Development Framework (LDF), a portfolio of documents introduced by the new planning system.

The 'Call for Sites' has reopened for new submissions to the SHLAA and ELPS
Until 18 July 2008, there will be a final opportunity to submit new sites to the SHLAA and ELPS prior to consultation on the draft findings later in the year.  This will allow those who missed the original deadline in autumn 2007 to have their site considered.  It is hoped that reopening the submissions will ensure the maximum number of sites are put forward for consideration, allowing a more complete picture to emerge.

The 'Call for Sites' process does not imply any commitment by the council that such sites will be reconsidered for development in the future but that these sites will be judged against relevant planning policies and other considerations in line with government guidance.

Progress so far
The councils jointly undertook a 'Call for Sites' exercise to inform the SHLAA and ELPS between 25 October and 31 December 2007, in which we asked you to tell us about any sites or premises you considered suitable for development.

Approximately 60 sites were submitted during the first 'Call for Sites' by landowners and other interested parties. We have since carried out an initial assessment of these submissions in addition to a number of sites identified by ourselves.

In April, consultants (White Young Green) were appointed to check the work completed so far, and to independently review the site assessments carried out by the councils.

When White Young Green have completed their site assessment, they are expected to publish and consult on a draft final report towards the end of summer 2008. At this point a four week public consultation will be carried out to allow people to comment on the draft findings of the SHLAA.

Consultants have also been appointed to carry out the work on behalf of Knowsley, Sefton, Halton and West Lancashire Councils. It is expected that a draft final version of the study will be published for consultation in October 2008.

Meanwhile, any queries relating to these matters should be addressed to the Foward Planning Team via the contact details below.

To submit a site in Sefton, West Lancashire and Halton, or to find out more about these joint studies and the 'Call for Sites' in these areas, please visit the joint call for sites website.

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