Land Availability Assessment

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires us to identify and maintain at least a five year supply of deliverable and developable land for housing. The study assesses whether sites submitted to us 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 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 (Paragraph 2, Section 1 of Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment, Planning Practice Guidance).

Sites within the South Downs National Park

From the 1st April 2013 the South Downs National Park Authority has directly received all new SHLAA site submissions within its area. Visit the South Downs National Park website for details on how to submit a LAA site within the South Downs National Park.

Lewes District Council

Lewes District Council is preparing a new Local Plan covering the areas of the district which fall outside the South Downs National Park (SDNP).  

The requirement to undertake a LAA is set out in the Gov.uk - National Planning Policy Framework. The Lewes Land Availability Assessment (LAA) 2023 is available to download below.

Further work is needed to gather evidence to fully assess the sites submitted and whether there are other sites that could be included, including updated information on availability of sites.

If you wish to submit a new site to the Lewes LAA, or updated information in relation to an existing site including updated availability information, you can do so at our Consultation Portal - Lewes Land Availability. Sites submitted by 31^st March 2024 will be assessed for the next iteration of the LAA. The Local Development Scheme sets out the timetable for the preparation of the Local Plan. 

Please note the LAA does not allocate sites for development and assessments of the sites does not mean it has any 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, and the normal planning application process would have to be followed before approval was granted.

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 Consultation Portal - Eastbourne Land Availability and complete the relevant questionnaire, including uploading a site location plan. 

Alternatively you can download a PDF or Word form from the Consultation Portal - Eastbourne Land Availability 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.