We launched a call for sites as part of the preparation for our next local plan.
This was an opportunity for you to suggest sites for a wide range of potential uses.
The call for sites took place between 7th October and 5pm on Monday 18th November 2024 and will help us to identify potential sites to meet the district’s needs in the future.
Site submissions may still be accepted after the closing date, please email us planning.policy@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk to discuss this further.
Frequently asked questions
What is a call for sites?
It is an opportunity for the local community, parish council’s, 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 between 7th October and 18th November to identify potential sites that could help to meet the future needs of the district.
Sites received will be considered through an evidence base document known as a housing and economic land availability assessment (HELAA) 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 is the right land to be allocated for development in the new local plan.
Further information on a HELAA can be found on the government guidance page.
Site submissions may still be accepted after the closing date, please contact us to discuss this further.
Who can put forward a site?
It’s an opportunity for the local community, parish council’s, landowners, developers, agents and other stakeholders to suggest sites within or partially within the district.
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 as much detail is provided as possible.
We have two different ways for sites to be submitted to us on our website:
1. If you have limited information on the site that you would like to suggest to us then use this route.
2. If you are the landowner or a developer then choose this route as it will enable you to provide us with more detailed information.
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 district.
Sites for a wide range of potential uses could be suggested to us, including:
- New housing developments including new settlements/garden villages, strategic development areas/urban extensions, non-strategic sites.
- Sites for specialised housing developments including affordable housing, rural needs housing, specialist housing for older people, self-build and custom housebuilding.
- Sites for Gypsy and Travellers pitches.
- Sites for economic development including employment land for offices, industrial, distribution, retail, tourism and other commercial uses.
- Sites for community facilities.
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.
It is not just sites for development that can be suggested, as we are also carrying out a call for open spaces, including:
- Sites for leisure and recreation
- Sites for nature where new wildlife habitats could be created
- New Local Green Spaces (green areas of particular importance to local communities)
Are there any requirements for 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) - capable of accommodating 500 sqm of floorspace.
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 were particularly keen to hear about previously developed (brownfield) sites, however undeveloped (greenfield) sites can also be submitted.
What happens once a site is submitted?
If a site meets the thresholds above, it will be assessed and the information collected will help us to identify a potential 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 HELAA will not determine how much new development we need, or whether a site should be allocated for development or given planning permission.
Will there be future opportunities to submit sites?
We would encourage the submission of sites through this call for sites, however, there will be future opportunities to submit sites to us.
Who can I contact if I have further queries?
If you would like to discuss the call for sites process further, please email planning.policy@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk.