Local Plan Reviews & Call for Sites

How to submit and effectively promote your land for development

Land promotion from Lincolnshire's top-rated planning consultancy - effectively promote your site in local plan reviews and call for sites.
Land promotion from your local top-rated planning consultancy - effectively promote your site in local plan reviews and call for sites.

Land promotion from your top-rated local planning consultancy - promote your site effectively in local plan reviews and call for sites.

Local Planning Authorities across the country are updating their Local Plans following changes to the NPPF and the introduction of mandatory housing targets.

In most cases local plan reviews will start with a 'call for sites' consultation - this is an opportunity for landowners and developers to promote available land to the Council which could be allocated for new development. In most cases, sites can be put forward for any use or designation and this can include, but is not limited to, housing, employment and commercial development, retail and leisure, renewable energy generation and biodiversity or other environmental enhancement schemes.

What do you need to do?  If you have any land interests, be ready!  High-quality, effective and reliable planning representation is vital. Sites need to be promoted in the right way, and at the right time.  The window of opportunity to promote your site is normally very short and strict, so preparation is key. 

Fytche-Taylor's team have hands-on local authority experience having led Local Plan reviews and Call for Sites consultations and as a planning consultancy we hold an excellent track record in securing site allocations for our clients.  We know what to present and how to maximise the potential of your site so that it stands out as a credible and deliverable development site. Contact our team today on 01522 581 383 or email i[email protected] 

Local round up...   Local Plan Reviews in the Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire and Derbyshire areas

Keen to learn more about Local Plan Reviews or Call for sites?  Our most frequently asked questions are explored below...


What do the return of mandatory housing targets mean for you?  Our team have assessed the housing targets for all areas, and they are much higher than you might expect.  For instance, in Central Lincolnshire the new annual target is close to a 60% increase on the existing number of homes planned.  Elsewhere, it’s even higher – Northumberland for example will see its target jump more than three times higher that the council currently plans for.


What is a 'call for sites'?   A call for sites is often one of the first steps in a local plan review and involves the local planning authority inviting landowners, developers, and other stakeholders to put forward available land that could be developed for future use. This can include a range of uses, not only for house building.  It's very important to submit a strong case when promoting your land, together with an appropriate level of supporting information.


When is a call for sites needed?   Usually when planning authorities are in the process of updating or making a new local plan. The process aims to ensure that growth is properly planned to align with the changing needs of the community, to ensure that the area meets its housing targets and to support economic growth.  By gathering a comprehensive list of potential sites, councils can prioritise developments that align with their broader vision for the area, ensuring that growth is balanced, sustainable, and responsive to both current and future demands​.


Will the mandatory housing targets in the updated NPPF result in a call for sites?   Yes – in most cases this will definitely need to happen and is already underway in many parts of the country where the more proactive local planning authorities have responded quickly to the clear messages coming from the Government.  Councils must positively seek out more development land, which might include taking a second look at previously rejected sites or even considering Green Belt land. Either way, the Government have said that council's must be ready to act quickly to the changes. This intensifies the urgency of the Call for Sites and Local Plan review process,; in some areas Call For Sites are already underway, in other areas this hasn't started yet.


How can you promote your site and what is included?   Timing is vital.  When a call for sites is announced in your area there will be a set period (often 4 to 6 weeks) to submit a site.  Sites submitted outside of this are unlikely to be considered.  To promote your site through the call for sites, it must align with local and national planning priorities, such as sustainability and infrastructure readiness, and be submitted in the specific way the council requires. 

Submitting a well-presented promotion pack to demonstrate that the site is suitable for development is highly recommended. It is a worthwhile investment to strengthen your case, identify constraints and show how they can be addressed.  Sites with little or no supporting information rarely get selected, likewise by not properly considering key environmental constraints or infrastructure needs your submission will be weaker​.  

Employing RTPI chartered planning consultants, such as our top-rated team, can improve your chances in the call for sites process.  We will ensure that your submission meets local planning objectives and addresses any important technical requirements.  We have an excellent track record in achieving allocated sites for clients and work with landowners right across the UK. 

Local Plan Reviews and Call for Sites: How to submit and effectively promote your land for development
Local Plan Reviews and Call for Sites: How to submit and effectively promote your land for development

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