Latest News July 2026
Work is progressing on the call for sites assessment; however, this is taking time as it is a very lengthy process and there are a high number of sites to consider.
The results of the site assessments will be published in the Housing and Economic Land Availably Assessment (HELAA), which is an evidence base document that will be made available alongside the new draft local plan. The current timetable for this plan can be viewed here. We envisage the draft HELAA will be published alongside the consultation on the proposed local plan content and evidence, programmed for September- October 2027.
We will be contacting site promoters to fact check any anomalies where applicable, once we have completed the site assessments.
The production of a local plan can seem like a long process, alternatively there is the option of the council’s pre application service if you are seeking planning permission.
Site submissions may still be accepted, please email us at: planning.policy@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk to discuss this further.
Frequently asked questions
What is a call for sites?
It is an opportunity for the local community, parish councils, landowners, developers, agents and other stakeholders to suggest sites that they would like to be considered as part of the preparation of the new local plan.
Why have we carried out a call for sites?
We have carried out a call for sites to identify potential sites that could help to meet the future needs of the district.
Sites received will be considered through an evidence base document known as a housing and economic land availability assessment (HELAA) and ultimately help us understand what land is potentially available for development as we start work on our new local plan.
It is important that we know where sites are potentially available for a range of uses to help us make decisions on which land should be allocated for development in the new local plan.
Further information on a HELAA can be found on the government guidance page.
Who could put forward a site?
It was an opportunity for the local community, parish councils, landowners, developers, agents and other stakeholders to suggest sites within or partially within the district.
Land didn’t need to be in your ownership but as part of the evidence for the new local plan, we are required to assess whether sites are available and can be delivered, therefore, it was helpful if as much detail as possible was provided.
We had two different ways for sites to be submitted to us:
1. If you have limited information on the site that you would like to suggest to us.
2. If you are the landowner or a developer and able to provide us with more detailed information.
What uses could a site be submitted for?
Sites for a wide range of potential uses could be suggested to us, including:
- New housing developments including new settlements/garden villages, strategic development areas/urban extensions, non-strategic sites.
- Sites for specialised housing developments including affordable housing, rural needs housing, specialist housing for older people, self-build and custom housebuilding.
- Sites for Gypsy and Travellers pitches.
- Sites for economic development including employment land for offices, industrial, distribution, retail, tourism and other commercial uses.
- Sites for community facilities.
It is not just sites for development that could be suggested, as we also carried out a call for open spaces, including:
- Sites for leisure and recreation
- Sites for nature where new wildlife habitats could be created
- New Local Green Spaces (green areas of particular importance to local communities)
Were there any requirements for sites to qualify?
We are interested in hearing about sites for development which meet the following thresholds:
- Housing - capable of accommodating at least five new homes or a minimum size of 0.25ha.
- Economic development (e.g. employment or retail) – at least 0.25 hectares (or capable of delivering at least 500 square metres of floor space) in size.
There was no maximum size of site.
We were particularly keen to hear about previously developed (brownfield) sites, however undeveloped (greenfield) sites could also be submitted.
What happened once a site was submitted?
If a site met the thresholds above, it was subject to a detailed assessment to evaluate whether the site is suitable, available and achievable, using a method set out in government guidance. The information collected will help us to identify a pool of sites, that have potential for a range of uses to inform the evidence base for the new local plan.
However it is important to note that just because a site has been suggested to us does not mean that it is suitable for development or that we think it will be needed.
The call for sites and HELAA will not determine how much new development we need, or whether a site should be allocated for development, or given planning permission.
For those sites taken forward for further consideration in the new local plan process, there will be opportunities for the public to have their say on site allocations in the future when drafts of the new local plan are consulted on. The local plan is subject to an in-depth assessment by independent Inspectors appointed by government; the Inspectors must give their approval before the local plan can be finalised and adopted.
Will there be future opportunities to submit sites?
Yes, there will be future opportunities to submit sites to us.
Who can I contact if I have further queries?
If you would like to discuss the call for sites process further, please email: planning.policy@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk.