New development opportunities in Bath and North East Somerset?

Bath and North East Somerset Council (BaNES) have now joined the growing list of Councils where housing supply has dropped below the level mandated by Government. The Council has reported a deliverable five-year housing land supply that amounts to just 2.5 years, a far cry from the 5 years' worth of housing supply required by Government policy.

Following on swiftly from our blog in May regarding the critical housing land supply levels in all five of the planning sub-areas that make up Somerset Council, the list continues to grow. 

In a statement issued by BaNES Council in late May the Council confirmed that following the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December 2024 the Council has a deliverable five-year housing land supply that amounts to just 2.5 years.

Government policy states that Local Planning Authorities are required to maintain a supply of deliverable sites sufficient to provide a minimum of five years' worth of housing against their housing targets. Demonstrating the required level of supply ensures there are sufficient sites in the pipeline that have been granted planning permission, are under construction or allocated for development in the Local Plan.

BaNES Council’s statement confirms that between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2030 they can only demonstrate a housing supply which amounts to about half the houses needed in their administrative area.

New opportunities in Bath and North East Somerset as a result of housing land supply shortages

The recently published statement on land supply in BaNES will present new opportunities for applicants and landowners seeking planning permission for housing in locations which are or can be made sustainable.

This is because local planning authorities without five years' supply of land for housing will have to apply a 'tilted balance’ when determining planning applications. 

This means the Council will be required to grant planning permission unless a proposal unacceptably affects certain protected areas or assets, or where the harms ‘significantly and demonstrably’ outweigh the benefits. 

It is likely that the Council will be forced to relax their policy position regarding the restrictions on new housing adjoining the Housing Development Boundary of the various towns and villages throughout the local area. 

If you would like to explore potential development opportunities in Bath and North Somerset (BaNES), Salmon Planning Company's team of chartered planning consultants and architects are well placed to offer expert planning advice and in-house architectural services.

With offices in Somerset and Devon we operate across the South West.

Do not hesitate to contact us on 01749 671500 or email info@salmonplanning.co.uk

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