Monitoring and evidence

The Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA) provides information on a range of potential housing sites and sites for other uses which gives an indication of how development requirements could potentially be met on the ground.

Paragraph 68 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2021 version) requires local planning authorities (LPAs) to prepare and make available such information to establish realistic assumptions about the availability, suitability, and the likely economic viability of land to meet the identified need for housing over the plan period".

It is important to note that whilst the SHELAA identifies potential sites, it does not allocate them for development or add weight to the site for the purpose of decision-making on a planning application. The allocation of future sites for development will only take place through statutory plan processes (e.g. Local Plan, neighbourhood plans) which undergo public consultation and examination. Submissions to the SHELAA post publication of the latest SHELAA report will still be registered and considered as part of these future statutory plan processes as appropriate.

SHELAA 2017

This SHELAA updates and replaces the earlier Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) and has been expanded to also include economic uses for sites. All sites previously considered within the SHLAA reports are now considered within the SHELAA.

• Strategic Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment Methodology (July 2017) (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.1 Amesbury Community Area (PDF) [4MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.2 Bradford on Avon Community Area (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.3 Calne Community Area (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.4 Chippenham Community Area (PDF) [3MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.5 Corsham Community Area (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.6 Devizes Community Area (PDF) [4MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.7 Malmesbury Community Area (PDF) [3MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.8 Marlborough Community Area (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.9 Melksham Community Area (PDF) [3MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.10 Mere Community Area (PDF) [570KB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.11 Pewsey Community Area (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.12 Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade Community Area (PDF) [4MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.13 Salisbury Community Area (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.14 Southern Wiltshire Community Area (PDF) [4MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.15 Tidworth Community Area (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.16 Tisbury Community Area (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.17 Trowbridge Community Area (PDF) [4MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.18 Warminster Community Area (PDF) [3MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.19 Westbury Community Area (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire SHELAA Appendix 5.20 Wilton Community Area (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)

Submitting a potential development site

The council invites submissions of potential development sites and maintains an ongoing 'call for sites' exercise. This includes all development sites including those for employment or residential uses or to provide Gypsy and Traveller pitches. However, only those sites proposed for residential uses will be assessed within the SHELAA. If you would like to submit a potential development site for consideration as part of the SHELAA, you can do this in following ways:

• SHELAA Call For Sites Submission Form (PDF) [108KB] (opens new window)   - complete and return by post
• SHELAA Call For Sites Submission Form (Word doc) [96KB]   - complete then attach to an email and send electronically

All residential submissions will be assessed in the subsequent annual SHELAA, although as soon as a site is received it will be considered in the development of plans.

Gypsy and Traveller call for sites

If you have a site which you would like to be considered and assessed as part of the gypsy and traveller call for sites let us know by completing the form.

• Gypsy and Traveller Call for Sites Form (PDF) [74KB] (opens new window)

Completed forms can be sent electronically via email, to strategicplanning@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window) or posted to the following address: Spatial Planning, Economic Development & Planning, Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN.

Housing Land Supply Statement

The latest Housing Land Supply Statement has been prepared using a base date of April 2023 and covers each Housing Market Area (HMA) in Wiltshire, as set out in the Wiltshire Core Strategy (adopted January 2015). It represents a snapshot at the date of publication and is produced annually as required by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and accompanying Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

Housing Land Supply Statements form part of the AMR but are often prepared in advance due to the important role the housing land supply position plays in decision-making on planning proposals. Therefore Housing Land Supply Statements have been produced separately and can be found below:

• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2023 (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2023 - Appendix 2 (PDF) [793KB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2022 (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2022 - Appendix 2 (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2021 (PDF) [1MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2019 (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2018 (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2017 (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2016 updated March 2017 (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2016 (PDF) [3MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2015 (PDF) [3MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2014 (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2013 (PDF) [2MB] (opens new window)
• East Wiltshire Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement Update May 2013 (PDF) [751KB] (opens new window)
• Wiltshire Housing Land Supply Statement 2012 (PDF) [862KB] (opens new window)

Annual Monitoring Report

The annual monitoring report (AMR) is the main mechanism for assessing performance of the development plan and it plays an important role in the provision of evidence for emerging planning policies.

This report allows the authority to understand the wider social, economic and environmental issues that affect the Wiltshire area. The monitoring that occurs allows the identification of current and future trends and through comparison with current policies allows any outstanding needs to be identified and appropriate policy responses considered.

The AMR is currently under preparation.

The housing land availability report (HLA) monitors housing development according to the housing requirements in the Wiltshire Core Strategy (adopted January 2015).

The HLA report monitors all dwelling completions and losses across Wiltshire, this includes new developments and the conversion of existing buildings. Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople pitches are formally classified as dwelling completions, but are not included in the main body of this document. These completions are presented in a separate table within the document.

The housing monitoring methodology has evolved and improved since it began. In some cases this will affect direct comparisons with the information from previous years. The latest Housing Land Availability Reports can be downloaded below.

• Housing Land Availability Report 2017 (PDF) [5MB] (opens new window)

Past Housing Land Availability Reports

• Housing Land Availability Report 2016 (PDF) [5MB] (opens new window)
• Housing land availability April 2015 December 2015 (PDF) [5MB] (opens new window)
• Housing Land Availability Report 2014 (PDF) [23MB] (opens new window)

The Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) sets out the infrastructure requirements to support planned new development in Wiltshire.

It is an evolving part of the evidence base for the Wiltshire Core Strategy and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule and Regulation 123 List. The Core Strategy will facilitate the delivery of infrastructure to achieve its vision for Wiltshire. Funds raised from CIL will contribute towards the funding of these infrastructure requirements.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires the council to plan for and, where possible, help deliver the necessary infrastructure to support new development.

Future growth (planned and 'windfall') will increase demand on local infrastructure and social facilities. Pressure on infrastructure will also come from:

• a growing and ageing population
• a fluctuating but increasing military population, and
• the unavoidable impact of climate change.

The IDP brings together a range of data to inform investment decisions by the council and its delivery partners, including:

• infrastructure requirements
• projected costs, and
• funding mechanisms.

These investment decisions currently take place within a challenging economic context, with reduced funding opportunities for local government and other service providers. A key purpose of the IDP is to prioritise infrastructure projects in order to focus resources on achieving objectives that would not come forward without assistance.

The third edition of the IDP was published in December 2016 and is available to view by following Wiltshire Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

Landscape Character Assessment is an objective method for describing landscape, based on the identification of generic landscape types (e.g. Open Downland) and more specific landscape character areas (e.g. Marlborough Downs). The approach identifies the unique character of different areas of the countryside without making judgements about their relative worth. Landscape character areas are classified based on sense of place, local distinctiveness, characteristic wildlife, natural features and nature of change.

Wiltshire landscape character assessments

The main Wiltshire Landscape Character Assessment covers the whole of the county at 1:50,000 scale. Beneath this assessment nest more detailed 1:25,000 Landscape Character Assessments that can all be viewed by on the 'Landscape conservation' web page.

Achieving sustainable development through planning

The achievement of sustainable development is the core principle underpinning the reformed planning system. Planning authorities need to ensure that sustainable development is treated in an integrated way in their development plans; this involves carefully considering the inter-relationship between:

• Social inclusion
• Protecting and enhancing the environment
• Prudent use of natural resources
• Economic development

Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment

Sustainability appraisal is a tool that helps in the achievement of sustainable development, through appraising the social, environmental and economic effects of a plan from the outset; it is integral to the plan making process. At Wiltshire Council, it performs a key role in providing a sound evidence base for planning documents and forms an integrated part of the Local Development Framework process.

Sustainability appraisal became mandatory for development plans under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. It incorporates an environmental assessment in accordance with the requirements of European Directive 2001/42/EC, which is commonly known as the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) directive.

Sustainability Appraisal scoping stage

The initial scoping stage sets the context and objectives for the sustainability appraisal, establishes the sustainability baseline and decides on the scope of the ongoing process. Early and effective community engagement through the scoping of the sustainability appraisal and engagement with key delivery stakeholders is a key component of sustainability appraisal.

Scoping consists mainly of:

• identifying relevant policies, plans, programmes
• collecting baseline information
• identifying the sustainability issues in Wiltshire
• establishing a framework containing a set of appraisal objectives

Information contained within the Scoping Report will form the basis of the appraisal of Local Development Framework documents.

For further information on Wiltshire Council Sustainability Appraisal documents go to LDF sustainability appraisal (opens new window).

Self and custom build housing can cover a wide range of developments, including projects where individuals are directly involved with the building or managing of the construction of their home, to projects where individuals commission their home whilst making key design and layout decisions. This approach can allow for greater diversification and innovation in the housing market. It is the responsibility of Wiltshire Council to hold a register of applicants who wish build their own home, as well ensure that enough plots are granted permission to satisfy the demand of the register. 

Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended by the Housing and Planning Act 2016, and Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023)

Since the inception of self-build & custom housebuilding Act, there have been 8 complete base periods. The 'Wiltshire Council self & custom build monitoring' table below shows a breakdown for both applicants added to the register, and how many permissions have been granted for each period. The table also shows whether demand has been met successfully for each base period.  

Further Information

Self-build and custom housebuilding permissions are identified using various sources, including CIL exemption records and the description of development. At present Wiltshire Council do not charge a fee to join the register, nor is there a local connection test.

The Council has a responsibility to issue sufficient permissions to meet demand arising in that base period within 3 years from the end of the base period. E.g. 32 applicants on the register at the end of base period 1 (30/10/16) must be satisfied by the end of base period 4 (30/10/19).

To find out more information about the self and custom build register, and information about how to join the register can be found on the self build page.

Further guidance on Self-build and Custom Housebuilding can be found in the relevant chapter within GOV.UK: Guidance - Self-build and custom housebuilding (opens new window).

For further information on the other evidence base studies Wiltshire Council have produced see  LDF sustainability appraisal (opens new window).