South Ayrshire Local Plan

Maintenance of an Effective Land Supply

The provision of housing sites that are capable of being developed to meet demand is essential if problems of homelessness, outmigration and overcrowding are to be avoided. In addition, housing development may assist economic development, urban regeneration and provide a wider range of housing choice.

Housing is a major land user. Finding enough land to accommodate the required number of houses to meet demand is therefore a key element of the Plan. In order to safeguard undeveloped countryside, and to accord with national guidance, it is recognised that wherever possible, housing development should be directed to existing gap sites, or to redevelopment (or “brownfield”) sites within settlements. This approach, encouraging brownfield housing development on suitable sites, will assist in bringing vitality and an improved environment to areas which may have fallen into disuse or disrepair.

STRATEGIC POLICY H1*

The Council will seek to maintain an effective five year supply of land for housebuilding to meet projected demand and encourage housing development on appropriate brownfield sites, in preference to greenfield sites.

The housing land requirements will be regularly reviewed. Where deficiencies occur, sites may require to be found on suitable greenfield sites, as determined by the Council and which meet with the terms of national planning policy guidance and structure plan policy.