Living Communities

• There’s a lot about housing growth. Why does Bassetlaw need to grow? Why can’t Bassetlaw stay as it is?
• Why do we need so many houses?
• Is there a method for calculating how many homes are required?

There’s a lot about housing growth. Why does Bassetlaw need to grow? Why can’t Bassetlaw stay as it is?

Government states in National Planning Policy that they are committed to securing economic and housing growth, and the planning system is central to delivering this growth.  So the Local Plan must set out how we will plan for new housing as well as for businesses, shops, leisure and other development.

The Local Plan must plan for enough housing to meet local housing needs over the next 17 years, including enough affordable housing, housing for older people, homes for first time buyers and family homes. It must make sure that there is enough homes for those people that wish to live and work in the District.

It is important for a Local Plan to make sure new development is located in areas that are the most sustainable in terms of services, facilities and access to public transport and is supported by the right type of infrastructure, such as new roads, schools and health facilities.

Why do we need so many houses?

The Government aims to deliver 300,000 new homes per annum in England. Bassetlaw is required to deliver its share. National planning policy requires the Council to make sure the proposed levels of housing need are based on a range of factors, including population and household projections, a growing ageing population, future job growth and our economic aspirations as a council.

Is there a method for calculating how many homes are required?

The minimum number of homes a Council is required to plan for is set by Government through its 'standard method'.  The method uses the official household projections, but then Government requires the Council to uplift the figure to make sure the Council provides enough homes for those expected to work in new jobs in the District by 2037.

The calculation for the housing requirement is set out in the Council's Housing and Economic Needs Assessment Update (2020) which has been prepared as evidence base for the Local Plan and is available on the Council's website.

Last Updated on Wednesday, May 8, 2024