Where a council cannot show a five year housing land supply, its housing policies are deemed to be out of date, and so don’t carry their normal weight in decision making. As a result, new housing can be allowed outside housing or built up area boundaries, subject to the location being considered ‘sustainable’.

It helps if there’s a pavement and street lighting between your plot and the village, or possibly public transport – a bus stop or station – that’s easily accessible. It also helps if the plot would still be reasonably contained by other houses, rather than being an isolated feature in open countryside.

Different councils interpret these things in different ways, so it would be worth a scour of applications to see if any comparable schemes have been decided recently, and how they got on.

Bear in mind that the council’s approach to design won’t change as a result of the shortfall, so it’s definitely not a case of ‘anything goes’.

Mike Dade (planning consultant & Build It expert)

Thanks Mike, that helps.
Especially the tip about something that links the plot to the village (pavement, lights, amenities etc.). I’ll look up the recent planning decisions…

Many thanks,
Ben.

Hi

unfortunately a single dwelling won’t make much difference to the council in terms of their 5 year land supply position. i may be wrong but i suspect they would resist this type of application. you’re best speaking to them direct and asking the suitability of the site. if they say no you may be best to walk away.