Land Availability Assessment

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires local planning authorities to identify and maintain at least a five year supply of deliverable and developable land for housing. The LAA assesses whether sites submitted to the council for housing are either Deliverable (suitable, achievable and available) or Developable (suitable with a reasonable prospect of being available at a specific point in time) for future housing development.  As a 'live' document the assessment is updated on an annual basis. The LAA was previously known as the Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA).

The LAA is an important technical piece of evidence.  The study is not a statement of council policy and does not in itself determine whether a site should be allocated for development. The LAA assessment of the sites does not carry weight in planning decisions, nor is the assessment council advice. It is a technical document which assesses whether a site could be 'suitable' for development. Further work would be needed to include the site within the development plan, and the normal planning application process would have to be followed before approval was granted.

Sites within the South Downs National Park

The South Downs National Part Authority is the planning authority inside the South Downs National Park.  Sites within the park should be submitted directly to the Park Authority.  Visit the South Downs National Park Authority website for details.

Lewes District Council

If you wish to submit a new site to the Lewes LAA, you can do so at our Consultation Portal or by emailing us at localplan@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk. Our call for sites is ongoing, but each year only sites received on or before 31^st March will be included in the LAA update. We aim to publish an updated LAA in the summer each year. LAA Reports are available to download from the bottom of this page.  In addition you may view a map of the most recent LDC LAA site assessment via our LAA Sites WebMap.

Eastbourne Borough Council

Eastbourne Land Availability Assessment

The Land Availability Assessment being carried out by the council is part of the preparation of the new Eastbourne Local Plan. It is important there is an up-to-date understanding of the type, quantity and location of land that could potentially support the development and growth of the town over the next 20 years. The 2022 version of the Land Availability Assessment is available to download below. 

As part of the public consultation on the Local Plan Growth Strategy, the Council is inviting submissions for potential development sites for housing and employment/commercial uses, particularly on previously developed 'brownfield' sites.

The Council is also interested to hear suggestions for sites that could accommodate other uses that will help to meet the ambition of becoming a carbon neutral town by 2030, such as renewable energy generation and habitat banks.

If you wish to submit a site to be considered in the Eastbourne land availability assessment please follow the link to our Eastbourne Land Availability Assessment - Call for Sites and complete the relevant questionnaire, including uploading a site location plan. 

Alternatively you can download a PDF or Word form from the Eastbourne Land Availability Assessment - Call for Sites to complete, and email it to localplan@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk or post it to Planning Policy, Eastbourne Borough Council, Eastbourne Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4UG.