The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has recently confirmed that local authorities should use 2014 household projections and not the 2016 figures.
The 2016 findings had reduced the national housing need figures by approximately 53,000 dwellings per year. However, the Government has reaffirmed the overall target to deliver 300,000 homes each year and is directing local authorities to use the 2014 housing projections in progressing planning policy documents.
Forthcoming planning guidance to be released by MHCLG is set to ensure that the 2016 projections do not qualify as exceptional circumstances to justify a departure from the 2014 housing projections and standard methodology.
The Poole Local Plan, which is recommended to be approved for adoption by Borough of Poole Full Council on Tuesday 13 November, uses the 2014 housing projections and standard methodology.
The Poole Local Plan includes an allocation for Canford Park under emerging Policy UE2 for a minimum of 800 homes. It is proposed that Canford Park could potentially deliver up to 320 Affordable or Starter Homes in North Poole. The new homes for Canford Park could also address Poole’s need for family houses, which will complement the predominantly flatted schemes likely to be brought forward within the Regeneration Area and the wider urban area.