The Council need to consider the social and economic consequences of a stepped trajectory, namely the impact of unmet housing needs arising within the Borough over the first half of the plan period (i.e. 2020 to 2030). If suitable and deliverable sites are available now in sustainable locations, they should be allocated and the strategy amended to avoid or minimise the need for a stepped trajectory. Housing needs are arising now, and they should be met as soon as possible.
As set out at paragraph 1.2 of the Development Strategy Topic Paper, the increased requirement applies from 2020 and the provision made within the adopted Plan needs to be ‘topped up’. Sites that accord with the adopted strategy, such as at Bromham where the adopted strategy supports a minimum of 500 dwellings, should be allocated to come forward in the period to 2030 to avoid the need for a stepped trajectory.
Given the negative consequences for the economy and population, any such policy will need to be clearly justified in order to be found sound. On the basis of the evidence and the availability of suitable and deliverable sites in sustainable locations (such as at Bromham), it is considered such a policy unlikely to be found sound.