Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA)

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) requires every Local Planning Authority to assess the amount of land that is available for housing and economic development in its area. This process is known as the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA).

The HELAA provides the evidence base for the Council's emerging Local Plan. It is important to note that the HELAA does not represent policy and will not determine whether a site should be allocated or granted permission. Its main role is to:

• Identify sites and broad locations with potential for development;
• Assess their development potential; and
• Assess their suitability for development and the likelihood of development coming forward (the availability and achievability).