Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031, Proposed Submission

Paragraph 4.3.4 identifies that as a rule of thumb the housing requirement for a settlement should not normally be exceeded by more than about 10%. Whilst this includes some flexibility, it does not provide sufficient clarity for a decision-taker to conclude whether that rule of thumb should apply in individual circumstances.

If the 10% rule was rigidly applied, this would place a very stringent limit on the number of homes that could be developed in settlements to respond to the district-wide five-year land supply shortfall. Indeed, given the proposed allocations and existing commitments there would be very little opportunity for additional sites to come forward d at the Principal Urban Area, the Sub-Regional Centre, the Key Centres or the Rural Centres to respond to the current five-year land supply shortfall without exceeding this 10% limit..

The application of the 10% limit will therefore be directly contrary to national policy and it will be ineffective in restoring and maintaining a five-year land supply. There is also no justification in support of the 10% limit.