Evidence base - Housing and employment land studies

Joint Housing and Employment Land Studies

Unfortunately, the study has been subject to significant delays. This has been due to a number of factors, particularly the high number of sites identified (over 2000 housing sites in Sefton alone) and unexpected circumstances which have significantly increased workload pressures. 

Progress So Far

The Council, together with Sefton and West Lancashire Councils commissioned White Young Green to undertake a joint Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA).  The three Councils, together with Halton Council also commissioned the BE Group to undertake a joint Employment Land and Premises Study (EL&PS).  The purpose of the studies is to inform preparation of the Local Development Framework (LDF).

The studies seek to 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.

The Councils jointly undertook a 'Call for Sites' exercise to inform the SHLAA and EL&PS between 25th October and 31st December 2007, in which individuals and organisations were asked to tell us about any sites or premises that they considered suitable for development.  Submissions to the ‘Call for Sites’ were re-opened between 27th May and 18th July to allow submissions from those who missed the original deadline. Unfortunately, the study has been subject to significant delays. This has been due to a number of factors, particularly the high number of sites identified (over 2000 housing sites in Sefton alone) and unexpected circumstances which have significantly increased workload pressures. 

The purpose of the reports is to inform preparation of the Local Development Framework.  The consultant’s reports will not imply any commitment by the Council that such sites will be considered for development in the future.  If a planning application is submitted for development on any of the sites, the application will be considered against relevant planning policies and other considerations in line with government guidance.

What happens next?

Knowsley carried out a public consultation during June - July 2009 on the draft studies. This was followed by public consultation held by Sefton Council during August - October 2009. The consultation draft SHLAA report can be downloaded from this page. The draft EL&PS report can be accessed via Sefton Council’s Joint EL&PS webpage.

The study consultants are now reviewing all of the comments and will revise the study accordingly. A final report will then be published in the early in 2010 which will then be used to inform planning policy as the Council develops its Local Development Framework.

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