A review of the city’s Local Plan, which has been underway since December 2022, is nearing completion.
As part of the final Regulation 19 stage a six-week publication period gets underway today before elected members will then consider the submission of the Local Plan for examination.
The proposed updated plan includes steps to increase the proportion of social housing built on all qualifying sites while seeking to increase the delivery of affordable homes. The six-week publication period is the last stage for public feedback.
Local Plans should be considered for review at least once every five years.
The Council hopes key targets in its updated plan will help the city to meet the development needs of its communities in a balanced and sustainable way.
The plan includes development targets for the 2021-2041 plan period for new dwellings and the provision of employment land.
The proposed development targets are informed by the 2022 Coventry and Warwickshire HEDNA (Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment).
The Council’s approach is ‘brownfield first’ and protection of the city’s remaining areas of Greenbelt.
Cllr Naeem Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, explained: “This is an important stage for our Local Plan. There is a housing need in the city, and we are determined that quality is maintained and that there are opportunities for more first-time buyers to get on the housing ladder.
“More social housing development is also a key part of the plan and this includes all kinds of developments including those on smaller plots like garage sites, which turn derelict land into family homes.”
Coventry has a tightly drawn administrative boundary and therefore development land is always in short supply.
Through the allocation of brownfield development sites and making best use of land, the Council considers that it is able to identify land to meet its local housing need figure.
The plan is in alignment with National Government’s priority for higher density development within urban areas, alongside locally embedding high quality standards of design and standards upon internal living spaces.
The Council recognises the need to support the local economy and enable job creation, and continues to work with its partners in neighbouring councils to consider all options for meeting this need in the absence of suitable available employment sites within the city.
The policies also aim to promote higher thermal efficiency standards of new build development in response to climate change and cost of living pressures.
Policies are included for the setting of expectations for developers to provide on-site renewable energy generation and restrictions upon the use of fossil fuels.
A six-week publication period starts 20 January until Monday 3 March 2025.
For details visit coventry.gov.uk/localplanreview