The Candidate Site Process

What is the Candidate Sites Process?

The Candidate Sites process is a fundamental part of the Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP). The process identifies land for a variety of uses including housing, commercial, tourism etc, to be allocated in the RLDP. Allocating a site in the Plan means that in principle, the site is acceptable for the development of that use.

The process involves an initial Call for Candidates Sites and their Submission and then a comprehensive multi stage assessment of them. The process also includes public consultation on the sites.

The sites that the Council consider appropriate for allocation and development will be included in the Deposit RLDP, which will then be determined by an independent Planning Inspector.

What is a Candidate Site?

A Candidate Site is an area of land or buildings which are submitted to the Council to be assessed for inclusion in the RLDP. Candidate Sites can be submitted by anyone including landowners, developers and the Council itself.

Candidate Sites can be submitted for a range of uses, or change of uses, some of which are set out below;

• Housing
• Employment
• Retail
• Gypsy and Traveller Sites
• Community Facilities
• Leisure
• Tourism
• Renewable Energy
• Green Infrastructure
• Biodiversity
• Waste
• Minerals
• Health/Education/Social Care
• Transport Infrastructure

Why do we need Candidate Sites?

Candidate Sites and ultimately allocations, are essential to the success of an RLDP, as the Council has a duty, through this statutory Plan, to provide land for a range of uses including those listed above. Candidate Sites allow the Council to find the best land for these uses.

Candidate Site Methodology

The Council have produced a Methodology to set out how it will undertake the Candidate Site Process and its integration into the RLDP preparation process. The Candidate Site Methodology sets out further detail on the LDP Candidate Site Process in general, how and when Candidate Sites can be submitted into the process; and then the detail of how, when and by whom the sites will be assessed through 4 specific stages. As part of the Methodology, a detailed Candidate Site Submission Form has been prepared, with an associated Guidance Note. The methods and criteria by which the Candidate Sites will be assessed at the Initial Assessment stage is also included for public consideration. Prior to submitting a Candidate Site it is encouraged and recommended to read this Candidate Site Methodology.

What is the Call for Candidate Sites and their Submission?

The Call for Candidate Sites is one of the first formal stages in the RLDP process. This is when the Council invites land to be submitted to the process. The Council has held two Call for Sites during 2020/2021 and 2022.  The Council will also welcome the submission of further Candidate Sites that we haven’t yet seen, during the public consultation of the Preferred Strategy between 21^st February – 17^th April 2024. During this period the Council welcomes sites to be submitted for consideration. For detailed guidance on submitting a site, please see the ‘Call for Candidate Sites and their Submission’ page.