Breckland Council approves renewed call for sites to progress local plan update

A Norfolk district council’s cabinet has approved the launch of a renewed call for sites as part of the updated local plan process.

Breckland Council’s previous local plan process had been put on pause due to significant changes to national housing targets set by central government under the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

The Breckland call for sites is a key part of the local plan process, allowing landowners, developers and other stakeholders to put forward potential sites that could meet future housing, employment and community needs.

Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen, council leader, said: “This is an opportunity for all stakeholders to get involved, have their say and to help shape the future of our district.

"Our renewed call for sites demonstrates Breckland Council’s commitment to delivering a local plan that reflects the evolving needs of our communities and our ability to adapt to external factors – often outside of our control – such as the significant rise in our house-building targets under the government’s new planning policy framework.

“While many residents and businesses will be aware work on the previous version of the plan had to be paused due to the NPPF, we are now moving forward with a revised approach that ensures we can meet these housing targets directed by the government.”

The renewed call for sites presents an opportunity for those who previously submitted sites and those who did not.

For those who participated in the initial call for sites: Given the revised housing targets and the need for an accelerated timetable to meet the government’s transitional plan-making targets set out in the NPPF, contributors are encouraged to consider this as an opportunity to provide additional supporting evidence to strengthen or add to their previous submissions.

For those who missed the previous call for sites: This is now a fresh opportunity to propose new sites for consideration as part of the updated local plan as set out in the accompanying guidance documents.

The renewed call for sites will launch soon.