✅ Definition of a Deliverable Housing Site

Under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) — specifically Annex 2 (Glossary) — a site is considered deliverable if it is available now, offers a suitable location for development now, and is achievable with a realistic prospect that housing will be delivered on the site within five years.

Deliverable sites must fall into one of these categories:

  1. Sites with Detailed Planning Permission (full planning permission or reserved matters) — automatically considered deliverable unless there is clear evidence they won’t be built in time.
  2. Sites with Outline Planning Permission, Allocation in a Development Plan, or Permission in Principle — only considered deliverable if there is clear evidence of:
    • Progress toward delivery (e.g. site viability, infrastructure in place),
    • A developer is on board,
    • Housing completions are expected within five years.

📌 So, not every site with permission counts — only those that meet these tests.

🔍 How Councils Prove Deliverability

To include a site in the 5-Year Housing Land Supply, the council must show evidence that supports its delivery within 5 years. This often includes:

  • Recent site activity (construction start or infrastructure work)
  • Signed S106 agreements (legal agreements securing planning obligations)
  • Developer commitments or delivery programmes
  • Viability appraisals showing the site is financially feasible
  • Infrastructure plans and funding in place (e.g. roads, drainage)

📊 Where This Appears

All this is documented in the Housing Land Supply Statement (or interim statement), where the council provides:

  • A list of individual sites (with status, capacity, delivery timeline)
  • A schedule of projected completions per year
  • Evidence that supports the inclusion of each site

📊 How It’s Measured

Each site included in the land supply must state:

  • The number of dwellings it is expected to deliver within the 5-year period.
  • A delivery timeline (how many homes will be completed each year).
  • Supporting evidence to justify that timeline (e.g. planning status, developer activity, infrastructure availability).

✅ So for example:

  • A site with full planning permission for 120 homes, with the builder confirming 60 units/year, would contribute 120 dwellings to the 5YHLS — assuming the delivery is within five years.

🔁 Why This Matters

Because the requirement is also set in housing units (e.g. 451 homes/year for EHDC), the council must match that with deliverable homes — not just land availability.