Proposed Housing and Mixed-Use Site Allocations

1. Introduction

Background

1.1 South Kesteven District Council is undertaking a review of its adopted Local Plan (2011-2036). The new Plan, once adopted, will replace the Local Plan adopted, adopted in 2020.

Why are we only consulting on Housing and Mixed Use Allocations?

1.2 In December 2024 the government published a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which introduced changes to how housing need is calculated. The changes made by national government has substantially increased South Kesteven District's annual housing need from 701 (as published through 2024 Draft Local Plan) to 886 dwellings per year, an uplift of 185 dwellings per year. This means that the Local Plan's minimum housing need is 17,720 dwellings across the plan period (2023-2043).

1.3 The NPPF states:

1.4 The data that goes into the standard method calculation comes from official statistics that are updated annually. The latest available data should be used whenever the standard method is applied, so different figures may end up being used in practice by local authorities during the plan-making process.

1.5 To meet this higher housing requirement and ensure a sufficient land supply for the entire plan period, the Council must identify additional housing sites beyond those previously consulted on.

1.6 The Council has a duty to meet the accommodation needs of the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Community. No land allocations for Gypsy & Travellers were made through the 2024 Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan as limited sites had been received through the 2020 Call for Sites. A subsequent Call for Sites was launched alongside the 2024 Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan and one site was received which has been assessed as suitable through the updated 2025 Site Assessment Report. The site has been proposed for allocation through the 2025 Regulation 18 Local Plan, as part of a mixed-use site.

1.7 Whilst this consultation is not seeking views on employment land allocations, housing can be delivered as part of mixed-use schemes, including employment and other uses.

1.8 This focussed consultation is limited to housing and mixed-use allocations only, allowing the Council to respond effectively to the revised housing targets and ensure compliance with national planning policy.

1.9 We are considering all comments submitted during the Draft Local Plan consultation (2024), so there is no need to repeat them in this consultation. However, we welcome any new or additional comments you may wish to provide.

How have we identified site allocations?

1.10 The proposed housing and mixed-use site allocations have been identified by reviewing land submitted to us and carefully assessing each site submission.

1.11 Between 2020 – 2022, the Council invited landowners and developers to submit land for a range of uses, including housing, Gypsy and Traveller sites, and employment. A further Call for Sites specifically for Gypsy and Traveller sites was held alongside the Draft Local Plan consultation in 2024. All submitted sites, including those received following the formal Call for Sites have been assessed and are published in the Site Assessment Report alongside this consultation.

1.12 Now that the housing need has increased, we have revisited all site submissions. While some sites were not included in the 2024 Draft Local Plan consultation, this was not necessarily due to the sites being assessed as unsuitable. At the time, there was a sufficient supply of land identified to meet the housing need. However, we now must identify further land to accommodate the higher housing requirement. Furthermore, a new site has been submitted to help meet the needs of the district's Gypsy, Traveller & Travelling Showpeople community.

1.13 The proposed housing and mixed-use site allocations continue to follow the Local Plan's spatial strategy, by allocating the most suitable and sustainable sites across the district, focusing on Grantham, Stamford, Bourne, The Deepings, and Larger Villages. All potential sites have also been considered through the Sustainability Appraisal process.

How will infrastructure be planned for?

1.14 Infrastructure is a collective term for services, facilities and structures such as roads, electricity, sewerage, water, schools, health provision and open spaces that people need to live happy, healthy and safe lives.

1.15 Sustainable growth in South Kesteven will need to be supported by the provision of appropriate new and upgraded infrastructure to meet the needs of the development.

1.16 The Local Plan will be accompanied by a document called an Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP). The IDP will identify the key infrastructure requirements which need to be delivered to support the new development proposed in the Local Plan. This will include transport, schools, healthcare, electricity, gas, water, sewerage, sustainable drainage systems, and telecommunications. The Council will continue to work with infrastructure providers to understand and plan for future infrastructure requirements.

1.17 The provision of new or upgraded infrastructure is usually agreed as part of the planning application process. This can be set out in legal agreements or planning conditions.

Why has the Local Plan timetable changed?

1.18 The preparation of the new Local Plan commenced in April 2020. The Council has held two Regulation 18 consultations, which includes an Issues and Options in 2020 which sought the views on the scope of the Local Plan. More recently a Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan consultation was held between February and April 2024 which sought views on a full draft version of the Plan.

1.19 The next stage of consultation was expected to be a Regulation 19 Pre-Submission consultation in Winter 2024/2025. However, the Local Plan timetable has been reviewed to take into account the implications of the publication of the updated National Planning Policy Framework. The timetable is set out below which includes this additional Regulation 18 consultation.

Table 1: Local Plan Timetable

Evidence

1.20 The Local Plan must be based on up to date, robust evidence. Published evidence can be found on the Council's website. In addition to the published evidence, there is also evidence underway, the conclusions and recommendations of which will further inform the Local Plan policies, including site allocations. Evidence currently underway includes:

• Review of Employment Land Study
• Infrastructure Delivery Plan
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
• Water Cycle Study
• Landscape Assessment
• Strategic Highways Assessment
• Play Pitch Strategy
• Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment Update.

What happens next?

1.21 Following this consultation, we will carefully consider all the comments received. Your responses will help us inform the Regulation 19 Pre-Submission Local Plan, due to be published for consultation in January – February 2026.

Responding to the consultation

1.22 The consultation will run from Thursday 3^rd July until 11.59pm Thursday 28^th August 2025.

1.23 The easiest and quickest way comment is online using the consultation portal on the Council's website – https://southkesteven.oc2.uk/

1.24 You may also comment on the report by:

• Email to planningpolicy@southkesteven.gov.uk
• Post to Planning Policy Team, South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, The Picture House, St Catherine's Road, Grantham, NG31 6TT

1.25 Please make sure to quote the site reference in your comments i.e. SKPR-123.

1.26 If you wish to comment on the Proposed Housing and Mixed-Use Site Allocations and supporting documents, please ensure that comments are received by the Council by 11:59pm on Thursday 28^th August 2025.

Contact us

For more information about the Local Plan visit the below webpage

www.southkesteven.gov.uk/localplanreview

Should you have any queries the please contact Planning Policy Team by emailing planningpolicy@southkesteven.gov.uk or calling 01476 406080.