Encouraging more site submissions to meet the increase in housing demand is crucial for local planning authorities to meet newly proposed central government targets and ensure adequate housing supply.
Here we share several strategies to enhance site submissions:
1. Increase Awareness and Outreach
Engagement with Real Estate Professionals: Collaborate with real estate agents, land surveyors, and property developers who have insights into available or underutilised land. They can act as intermediaries to encourage submissions.
Targeted Marketing Campaigns: Utilise a mix of digital and traditional marketing to reach potential landowners and developers. This could include social media ads, direct mail to property owners, and public notices in local newspapers. Targeted online ads can specifically reach those interested in land development.
2. Streamline the Submission Process
Simplify Documentation Requirements: Ensure that the requirements for submitting a site are not overly burdensome. Provide clear guidance and offer support to help landowners complete the necessary paperwork. Online tools such as those provided by interactive mapping software OpusMap, and templates can help make the process more accessible.
- Digital Submissions: Encourage digital submissions by using an easy-to-navigate online portal such as OpusConsult. Mobile-friendly designs can further increase accessibility, allowing submissions from any device.
3. Expand the Search Criteria
- Consider Smaller and Infill Sites: Encourage the submission of smaller sites, including infill development opportunities, which might be overlooked in larger call-for-sites initiatives. Such sites can collectively contribute significantly to housing targets.
- Reevaluate Protected Land: Review the boundaries of protected areas like the Green Belt to identify "grey belt" land, which is of lower environmental or recreational value and could be reallocated for housing.
4. Engage the Community
- Community Workshops and Consultations: Host workshops to educate the community about the benefits of site submissions and housing development. Engaging residents early can lead to more grassroots submissions and support for development projects.
- Local Authority-Led Initiatives: Proactively identify and promote potential development sites, particularly on public land or in partnership with landowners.
5. Provide Clarity and Transparency
- Clear Communication of Needs: Clearly communicate the housing demand and the types of sites needed, including the desired size, location, and infrastructure requirements. Transparency about the selection process and potential benefits can encourage more landowners to participate.
- Timely Feedback: Provide timely feedback on submitted sites, explaining how each submission fits within the broader housing strategy. This builds trust and encourages ongoing participation.
6. Partnerships with Developers
- Developer Forums: Establish forums or regular meetings with local and regional developers to discuss potential sites and identify barriers to submission. Collaborative approaches can lead to a higher volume of suitable site submissions.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Explore partnerships with private developers to co-identify and promote land that could be developed. These partnerships can also provide financial backing and reduce the risk for landowners.
By employing these strategies, local planning authorities can significantly increase site submissions, helping to meet housing demand and create sustainable communities.
Want to find out more about how technology can help encourage more site submissions?
Transform your digital planning capabilities with our hosted planning consultation software OpusConsult.
Schedule a FREE DEMO and discover how we can help you build a vibrant future for your community.