How many new homes?

In deciding how many new homes will be needed, the Government provides councils with a starting point based on a formula known as the ‘standard method’. This uses various inputs to determine a minimum average annual need for new homes, including average population (household) growth and the affordability of housing in the council area. It is updated periodically to reflect changes.

The most recent evidence produced collectively by the Gloucestershire councils is the Gloucestershire Local Housing Needs Assessment (2020). This reflected the standard method figure applicable at the time. These have since changed, and the current figures are:

National planning policy makes clear that alternative approaches to the standard method, in deciding the number of homes needed, may be used where there are exceptional circumstances to do so, and where it reflects current and future demographic trends and market signals. The councils therefore need to consider whether there is any exceptional circumstance for calculating local housing needs using a method other than the standard method, which may result in a need for more, or fewer homes. 

It is important to note that the sites allocated for development in the JCS, district plans, and other sites with planning permission will deliver new homes in the new timeframe for the Plan (the JCS and district plans covering up to 2031). This includes large sites that have planning permission and are delivering new homes at Twigworth, Innsworth, Brockworth and Churchdown. A large number of homes required are therefore already accounted for.