Call for Sites FAQs

What is a call for sites?

It is an opportunity for the local community, landowners, developers, agents and other stakeholders to suggest sites that they would like to be considered as part of the preparation of the next local plan.

Why are we carrying out a call for sites?

We are carrying out a call for sites to identify potential sites that could help to meet the future needs of the borough.

Sites received will be considered through an evidence base document known as a Strategic housing and economic land availability assessment (SHELAA) and ultimately help us understand what land is potentially available for development as we start work on our new local plan.

It is important that we know where sites are potentially available for a range of uses to help us make decisions on which land should be allocated for development in the new local plan.

Who can put forward a site?

It's an opportunity for the local community, landowners, developers, agents and other stakeholders to suggest sites within or partially within the borough.

Land doesn't need to be in your ownership but as part of the evidence for the new local plan, we are required to assess whether sites can be delivered, therefore, it is helpful if you could provide as much detail as possible.

What uses can a site be submitted for?

You can suggest any site that you would like to be considered to meet the need for new development in the borough.

Sites for a wide range of potential uses could be suggested to us, including:

• Housing (market, affordable, self and custom housebuilding)
• Specialist and supported accommodation (e.g. housing for older people, housing with care / extra care, residential / nursing accommodation)
• Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople pitches/accommodation
• Economic development (e.g. offices, industrial, laboratories, warehousing, distribution / logistics, data centres, retail, leisure, hotels)
• Community facilities (e.g. health, cultural, open spaces, sport and/or recreation)
• Habitat Mitigation Land and Wildlife Sites (Biodiversity off-setting sites, Suitable alternative natural greenspace (SANG))
• Renewable and low carbon energy generation (e.g. solar, wind, battery storage)[EY1] [PD2] 
• Mixed use schemes

If you think that there could be more than one suitable use for a site, you can indicate this when you submit it to us.

Are there any requirements for development sites?

We are interested in hearing about sites for development which meet the following thresholds:

• Housing - capable of accommodating at least five new homes or a minimum of 0.25ha.
• Economic development (e.g. employment or retail) – at least 0.25 hectares (or capable of delivering at least 500 square metres of floor space).

There is no threshold for land that has potential for Gypsy and Traveller pitches or Travelling Showpeople plots.

There is no maximum size of site, however, land parcels which adjoin, or overlap need not be submitted - please only submit the full extent of each site for assessment.

We are particularly keen to hear about previously developed (brownfield) sites, however undeveloped (greenfield) sites can also be submitted.

What about Habitat Mitigation Land and Wildlife Sites?

The Council is inviting interested landowners, developers and land managers to put forward possible sites for environmental mitigation in the following areas:

• Solent Wader and Brent Geese Sites
• Nutrient Mitigation
• Biodiversity Net Gain
• Local Green Space
• Nature Conservation

Such sites could be proposed as a standalone site to potentially be used for environmental mitigation purposes, or linked to a specific development site(s) which are being promoted through the local plan process

We are looking to identify potential projects, ranging from expressions of interest through to well-developed project ideas in putting forward a site to explore further.

Promoted sites will be considered for inclusion in the Local Plan. If appropriate, sites may also be considered for inclusion in relevant Council strategies for the environment.

What happens once a site is submitted?

If a site meets the thresholds above, it will be subject to a detailed assessment to evaluate whether the site is suitable, available and achievable, using a method set out in government guidance. The information collected will help us to identify a pool of sites, that have potential for a range of uses to inform the evidence base for the new local plan.

Just because a site has been suggested to us does not mean that it is suitable for development or that we think it will be needed.

The call for sites and SHELAA will not determine how much new development we need, or whether a site should be allocated for development, or given planning permission.

However, for those sites taken forward for further consideration in the new local plan process, there will be opportunities for residents to have their say on site allocations in the future when drafts of the local plan are consulted on. The local plan is subject to an in-depth assessment by independent Inspectors appointed by government; the Inspectors must give their approval before the local plan can be finalised and adopted.

I submitted my site in a previous call for sites exercise, do I need to submit it again?

Yes. We will need to collect up to date information about previously submitted sites to establish if they are suitable, available and achievable. We will be contacting people who previously submitted sites to collect this. If you do not hear from us, please reach out to the Planning Strategy Team at planningpolicy@fareham.gov.uk.

Will there be future opportunities to submit sites?

We would encourage the submission of sites through the call for sites as soon as possible, however, there will be future opportunities to submit sites to us as local plan preparation continues.

Who can I contact if I have further queries?

If you would like to discuss the call for sites process further, or need help accessing the call for sites form please email planningpolicy@fareham.gov.uk or telephone 01329 824601.

Where can I find out more information?

Government guidance setting out the method for assessing housing and economic land availability is available here .