Potential Significant Opportunity for the Park Homes Sector;

'Park Home' is the industry name for a caravan which is used for residential purposes.

National Planning Policy, as reflected in the NPPF, requires Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to produce Local Plans that will deliver the full, Objectively Assessed Needs (OAN), for market and affordable housing in the housing market area. The Government's online Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) sets out the methodology for assessing housing need; it refers to specific types of housing which should be considered. No reference is made to Park Homes or residential caravans. Accordingly, there is no duty for LPAs to forward plan for provision of this type of housing.

Clause 124 of The Housing and Planning Act 2016:

The Act received Royal Assent on 12 May 2016 and Clause 124 relates to the Assessment of accommodation needs. It requires local housing authorities in England to consider:

"...the needs of people residing in or resorting to their district with respect to the provision of- (a) sites on which caravans can be stationed..."

This suggests that local housing authorities (this includes District Councils and London Borough Councils) will need to start forward planning for provision of residential caravans.

This is a significant step change from other recent planning legislation because it is the first time non-gypsy caravans have been recognised as having a role in contributing towards the supply of housing in a given area.

Clause 124 came into force on 12 July 2016.

Potential Implications for Planning:

It is predicted that the online PPG will be updated such that it will specifically identify Park Homes (either this specific term or residential caravans) as an additional type of housing that needs to be considered and planned for. If this does not happen soon after 12 July 2016, it is suggested that the Park Homes sector should lobby the Government and request that it updates its planning guidance to reflect the Housing and Planning Act.

In the meantime, it is suggested that Clause 124 could be used by applicants in planning statements of case as an additional reason to justify additional Park Homes.