Skip to main content
Designing planning and housing data

BETA This is a new service - your feedback will help us to improve it.

Planning consideration

Housing delivery test

Data centrally compiled by MHCLG to assess whether LPAs are meeting their housing targets and needs

Design stage
Co-design
Tags

View a glossary of tags

Github
Join the discussion
Synonyms
No synonyms added
Legislation
No legislation added
Expected number of records
Unknown
Frequency of updates
Annually
Useful links
Technical specification
No specification added

Background information

Each planning consideration we work on passes through the stages of our design process, where we research and answer specific questions to help us collect more information.

Backlog

  • Who asked for 'Housing delivery test' data?

    We think it will be of interest for the platform to highlight deliverable land, and the housing delivery test data will contribute to this.

  • What is the driver for the request?

    Other

  • Which 2024 focus area does the request support?

    • Modern planning software
    • Faster local plans

Screen

  • What is the 'Housing delivery test' consideration?

    The Housing Delivery Test is a percentage measurement of the number of net homes delivered against the number of homes required, as set out in the relevant strategic policies for the areas covered by the Housing Delivery Test, over a rolling three year period.

  • Is there legislation that defines 'Housing delivery test'?

    Yes

    • What is the legislation that defines 'Housing delivery test'?

      National Planning Policy Framework (December 2023) - Maintaining Supply and Delivery (Paragraphs 75-81)

    • What is the specific part of the legislation that describes how a 'Housing delivery test' gets designated?

      National Planning Policy Framework (December 2023) - Maintaining Supply and Delivery (Paragraphs 75-81)

    • What is the specific part of the legislation that requires the publication of 'Housing delivery test'?

      National Planning Policy Framework (December 2023) - Maintaining Supply and Delivery (Paragraphs 75-81)

  • Who, in law, is responsible for the planning consideration or makes decisions about 'Housing delivery test'?

    MHCLG

  • Which organisations do we think should publish the data?

  • Is the Housing delivery test a trigger?

    Yes

    • What needs to be done because Housing delivery test has acted as the trigger?

      For LPA's that do not meet their housing requirements the following consequences will be applied: a) where delivery falls below 95% of the requirement over the previous three years, the authority should prepare an action plan to assess the causes of under-delivery and identify actions to increase delivery in future years; b) where delivery falls below 85% of the requirement over the previous three years, the authority should include a buffer of 20% to their identified supply of specific deliverable sites as set out in paragraph 77 of this framework, in addition to the requirement for an action plan. c) where delivery falls below 75% of the requirement over the previous three years, the presumption in favour of sustainable development applies, as set out in footnote 8 of this Framework, in addition to the requirements for an action plan and 20% buffer.

  • Is the Housing delivery test something to consult during plan making?

    Yes

    • Provide information about when Housing delivery test is used during plan making

      The past delivery or under delivery of housing maybe taken into consideration while calculating the housing need/requirement while looking to adopt a Local Plan.

  • Is there any Housing delivery test data already available?

    Yes

  • Do we think the data should come from a single source?

    Yes - MHCLG

  • Will a data standard be required?

    Yes

Research

  • Do we understand the lifecycle of a Housing delivery test?

    Yes

    • Document a stage of the high-level lifecycle of a Housing delivery test

  • Do we understand how the data is created/produced?

    The data is collated by MHCLG using the DELTA returns which are submitted by LPAs annually.

  • Where will or should the data be used?

    The data will be used to identify whether LPAs are meeting their housing targets, and if they are not meeting them, then they used to determine the level of action being placed on the LPA, e.g. action plan, buffer, presumption in favour of sustainable development etc.

    This can inform decisions made by developers, land owners and promoters in identifing sites which have reduced risk due to requirements to meet housing need.

  • development plan policies, development plans and timetables, housing numbers, site allocations, SHMAs

    Local plans - the 'homes required' part of the Housing delivery test is the lower of 'the latest adopted housing requirement from the Local Plan' or 'the minimum annual local housing need figure'

  • Who are the statutory consultees for Housing delivery test?

  • Other than the statutory consultees who are the primary users of Housing delivery test? How do we expect them to use Housing delivery test?

    MHCLG, LPAs, private sector planners, developers, landowners, site promoters

  • What are the planning needs for this data?

    This is required to monitor the level of housing which LPAs are delivering against housing targets, to ensure that sufficient supply of housing is coming forward.

  • Who are the types of users who might benefit from having access to Housing delivery test data?

    MHCLG, LPAs, private sector planners, developers, landowners, site promoters

  • What are some potential uses of Housing delivery test data?

    This can inform decisions made by developers, land owners and promoters in identifing sites which have reduced risk due to requirements to meet housing need.

  • What's the value of adding Housing delivery test data to the platform?

    If displayed graphically, it will provide a clear resource for users to identify the LPAs which are delivering sufficient homes, vs those underdelivering and potentially on special measures. This will inform decision making for developers to identify sites which have reduced risk levels.

  • From what we have learnt so far are there any risks to making Housing delivery test data available?

4 updates

  • Claire Miller (25 February 2025)

    The housing delivery test is now calculated using a new standard method calculation, which is based on existing housing stock and affordability, rather than housing projections.

  • Claire Miller (26 September 2024)

    As per some research we did, summarised in this blog on an analysis of local plans and local area requirements, we think that this consideration is an OUTPUT, and created during the local plan process.

  • elliotrowen (03 September 2024)

    This data is updated and published every November: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/housing-delivery-test

  • Mike Rose (30 August 2024)

    This data is available under the OGL v3 as it is shared on Gov.uk with no further licence restrictions visible. All content shared on gov.uk is under OGL unless otherwise stated.

Last updated: 2024-08-30 15:08:21