Call for Sites guidance note (October 2024)
What is a Call for Sites?
The Call for Sites is an opportunity for individuals, developers, organisations and communities to suggest sites they would like to be considered for future development through the Local Plan review preparation process. The Call for Sites is open to both previously developed land and potential 'greenfield' sites. We are interested to hear about potential opportunities for a variety of land uses including housing, commercial and community uses, open space, and land suitable for nature recovery or offsetting the environmental impacts of development.
This 'Call for Sites' relates to land which is within the Plan Area (New Forest District outside the National Park). The extent of the Plan Area is shown in purple in Figure 1.
Figure 1: New Forest District (outside the National Park) Plan Area
Why are we undertaking a Call for Sites?
The Call for Sites is a part of our evidence gathering process as we commence work on the New Forest District's (outside the National Park) full Local Plan review. The Call for Sites will help inform our evidence base of potentially suitable and available land, both previously developed land and greenfield sites, for a range of possible uses. The National Planning Policy Framework requires local planning authorities to maintain an up-to-date evidence base of potentially available land.
What sites can I submit?
We are interested to hear about potential opportunities for a range of land uses, including:
- Housing (e.g., market, affordable and for specialised accommodation needs)
- Commercial (including employment (e.g., offices, warehousing), retail and leisure)
- Renewable energy generation (e.g., sites for solar, wind, hydro power etc., community-led renewable energy initiatives)
- Public open space (including sports pitches)
- Habitat mitigation land (e.g. natural recreational greenspace)
- Other nature recovery and biodiversity net gain projects
We are especially interested to hear about potential opportunities for development, re-use or redevelopment in our towns and villages, or on previously developed land.
How should I submit a site suggestion to the Call for Sites?
You can suggest a site by completing the site submission form on Go Vocal:
The form asks for details about the site including land ownership, an accurate site location plan, current uses, proposed uses, and when the site could be available for development.
The opening date for submissions to this Call for Sites is Monday 28 October 2024, and the closing date is Friday 13 December 2024.
If you have any queries related to this Call for Sites, please email policyandplans@nfdc.gov.uk or call 02380 28 5345 for more information.
Do I need to resubmit my site if I have submitted it in a previous Call for Sites?
Yes. We are not able to automatically assume any sites submitted to us in the past are still available, so you will need to submit your site again using the new form. This will ensure we assess sites based on the most up to date information available.
What will happen when I submit my site suggestion?
The submission of a site through the Call for Sites does not mean that the site will be allocated or that the site is suitable for development. Sites will be subject to a detailed assessment to evaluate whether they are suitable and available to be considered for selection as potential allocations in the New Forest District (outside the National Park) Local Plan Review. As part of this process, sites will be put through a comprehensive sustainability appraisal assessment. Brownfield sites submitted will also be considered for inclusion on the Brownfield Land Register.
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