This Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment sets out the Borough's housing land supply for the period 01 April 2009 to 31 March 2024. It updates the previous SHLAA for the period 2008-2023 which was published in June 2009 and has been prepared in line with national Planning Policy Statement 3 'Housing' (PPS3) and the accompanying Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments Practice Guidance (Communities and Local Government, 2007).

Key findings

• The assessment identified sufficient land to deliver a 16.3 year supply of housing wholly within existing settlement boundaries and the urban extension to the north of Christchurch required by the draft South West RSS.
• In terms of the Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole Structure Plan (1994-2011) the assessment did not identify sufficient land to meet the 5 year supply, but did identify 15 year supply of housing land.
• Similarly, in terms of the draft (Proposed Changes) RSS the assessment did not identify sufficient land to meet the 5 year supply (it only identified land for 3.3 years), but did identify land to meet the 15 year requirement.

The identification of an 16.3 year supply of land will allow for a degree of flexibility in terms of how the Borough meets its 15 year RSS requirement. Later plan-making stages will select the most sustainable and locations for the allocation of deliverable housing land in terms of factors such as accessibility, viability and land availability. A detailed breakdown of housing potential for the 5 and 15 year supply is provided in section 5.

This assessment will primarily support the emerging Christchurch and East Dorset Core Strategy which will set out the council's vision, strategic objectives and core policies for the period 2006 to 2026. Further consultation stages on the Core Strategy are currently planned for mid 2010, with submission in 2012.

This timetable depends upon the content of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West which is expected to be adopted later this year.

2009 SHLAA Report and maps

Any mapped boundaries provided in association with this report are for the purposes of the SHLAA only and have no other planning status. SHLAA is only a technical assessment that does not allocate land for development but merely makes judgements on whether land might theoretically be developed.

The 2009 SHLAA report consist of the following parts:

• 2009 Christchurch SHLAA Report (pdf, 251kb) (opens in a new window)

• Appendix A: Bournemouth & Poole HMA Joint SHLAA Methodology (pdf, 141kb) (opens in a new window)
• Appendix B Stakeholder Panel Protocol and minutes of Panel meetings (pdf, 128kb) (opens in a new window)
• Schedule of Deliverable Sites 2009 - 2014 (pdf, 119kb) (opens in a new window)
• Schedule of Developable Sites 2014 - 2024 (pdf, 422kb) (opens in a new window)
• Schedule of Excluded Sites (pdf, 770kb) (opens in a new window)

Summary site maps of included or excluded sites: 

•   2009 Site Maps part 1 (West Christchurch, Fairmile, Town Centre) (pdf, 2Mb) (opens in a new window)
•   2009 Site Maps part 2 (Somerford, Mudeford, Burton, Friars Cliff) (pdf, 2Mb) (opens in a new window)
•   2009 Site Maps part 3 (East Christchurch, Highcliffe, Walkford) (pdf, 2Mb) (opens in a new window)

Application of the PPS25 Sequential Test

Developers wishing to conduct the PPS25 Sequential Test for planning applications (opens in a new window)  will need to provide evidence that there are no reasonably available alternative sites at lower risk of flooding (i.e. Flood Zone 1) which could be developed instead of any proposed development in the a flood zone. Applicants MUST conduct an assessment using the results of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) and provide evidence of the site-by-site assessment to the Council as part of the planning application.

Advice on using the SHLAA results to carry out the Sequential Test is provided on the Sequential Test for new housing development in Christchurch page or for more information please contact the Planning (Christchurch) department using the details below.

SHLAA Annual Review 2011

National policy requires that every local authority update the SHLAA on an annual basis to maintain a current supply of housing land. As part of the 2011 SHLAA update (2010 base year) Christchurch Borough Council are undertaking a call for sites alongside Bournemouth Borough Council and East Dorset District Council. If you wish to submit a site to Christchurch Borough Council for assessment in the 2011 round of SHLAA please complete the 'SHLAA 2' Form (downloadable from this page) and return to the address below. SHLAA 1 forms can be submitted for sites that already have permission.

• SHLAA 1 form - 2011 (word, 78kb) (opens in a new window)
• SHLAA 2 form - 2011 (word, 113kb) (opens in a new window)

If you wish to have your site considered as part of the 2011 update please return your SHLAA form by the 29 July 2011.

• Community & Planning Policy Manager
  Name: Simon Trueick
  Email: strueick@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 495038
  Fax: 01202 495108
  Full details for Simon Trueick