Newsletter 3 (December 2008) PDF - london.gov.uk - Greater ...

Project update…
Methodology Consultation
Consultation on the draft methodology paper for the new
study was undertaken during summer 2008. 27 respondents
replied to the consultation. Responses received were
generally supportive of the proposed changes to the
methodology, although concerns were raised about a
number of issues, in particular:
Additional workload from reduced site size;
Use of London Plan Opportunity Area capacities;
Gypsy and Traveller site potential
Respondents also provided useful suggestions on some
areas of the study such as overcoming constraints and the
use of unidentified large sites in later phases of the study. A
Borough Engagement Group was held on 7 th October
following consultation on the draft methodology.
Documents setting out detailed analysis of responses to the
draft methodology are available online.
The methodology has been refined in light of these
responses. These refinements are reflected in changes to
the online survey system. The GLA will be developing a
revised methodology report and a series of more detailed
Methodology Issue Papers which will provide more detail on
the methodology. The Borough Engagement Group
workshops will outline the objectives of the study and
methodology in more detail.
Call for Sites
The GLA issued a Call for Sites for inclusion within the
Housing Capacity and Strategic Housing Land Availability
Assessment. The purpose of the Call was to ensure the
assessment was in line with national good practice and
includes sites which developers may seek to promote in
the future. Details of the Call were sent directly to
boroughs, developers, developing Housing Associations,
the Housing Corporation/Homes and Communities
Agency, representative organisations (e.g. Home Builders
Federation) and cascaded further.
More than 130 responses have been made to the Call for
Sites. The Call gathered information on the proposer’s
intentions for the site, developer and land owner details.
The information, including contact details, will enable
boroughs to assess individual sites using the system and
contact site proposers and developers where appropriate.
Stakeholders were invited to propose sites for inclusion in
the study and made aware that inclusion in the database
would not predetermine an allocation for development or
assessment of application for development. These
decisions will be made in light of local and strategic
planning policies at the appropriate time.
Timetable Outline
January 2008
Survey system live – boroughs will assess sites, the
system will be live for approximately three months
March 2009
Interim report to address Housing and Planning
Delivery Grant requirements
March – June 2009
GLA discussions with boroughs on individual sites
and capacity from other sources
Spring/Summer 2009
GLA scenario testing of results
Summer 2009
Study publication
System Development Update
CDP Soft Ltd have been making amendments to the
London Housing Capacity Study System used for the 2004
study. This is being taken forward in two phases. The first
phase will enable boroughs to complete the site survey
information. Once the system is live in January, CDP will
prepare reporting facilities (phase two) to allow boroughs
to easily download information from the system.
GLA Contacts Update
Chris Poulton will be leaving the GLA in mid-January 2009.
Until a new appointment is made, stakeholders should
contact Mike Newitt for technical queries and John Lett
for policy & general project queries (see contacts overleaf).
Example of GIS based map and data fields contained within the proforma
available to site proposers.
Want to know more?
Further details of information requested and the call
are set out in the ‘Call for Sites’ Newsletter (special
edition).