The Housing Delivery Test (HDT) is a measure introduced by the UK government to assess the performance of local planning authorities in delivering new homes. It compares the number of homes required to be built in a local authority area against the number of homes actually delivered over a three-year period.
The HDT aims to ensure that local authorities are meeting their housing needs and contributing to the overall national housing targets. It encourages local authorities to take a proactive approach to housing delivery and address any barriers to development.
- The HDT is calculated as a percentage by dividing the total net homes delivered over the past three years by the total homes required over the same period.
- The housing requirement figures are based on the housing targets set out in the local development plan or, if these are not up-to-date, the government’s standard method for calculating housing need.
- 95% and Above: If the HDT result is 95% or above, the local authority is considered to be performing well in delivering the required housing.
- 85% to 94%: If the result is between 85% and 94%, the local authority must prepare an action plan to identify and address the causes of under-delivery.
- 75% to 84%: If the result is between 75% and 84%, the local authority must prepare an action plan and provide a 20% buffer on its five-year land supply to ensure more housing sites are available.
- Below 75%: If the result is below 75%, the presumption in favour of sustainable development applies, meaning that planning applications should be granted unless the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, as assessed against the NPPF as a whole.
- The HDT holds local authorities accountable for delivering housing and encourages them to take corrective actions if they are underperforming.
- It provides a clear and measurable way to assess housing delivery performance.
- The test aims to boost housing supply and ensure local authorities are proactive in meeting their housing targets.
- When local authorities fail to meet the HDT thresholds, it can lead to a more favourable environment for developers, as the presumption in favour of sustainable development makes it harder for local authorities to refuse planning applications.
- Local authorities are encouraged to identify and overcome obstacles to housing delivery, such as issues with land availability, planning permissions, and infrastructure constraints.
By using the Housing Delivery Test, the government seeks to address the housing shortage and ensure that the necessary homes are being built to meet the needs of the population.
