South Hams District Council is undertaking a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) jointly with West Devon Borough Council.
Local Planning Authorities are required by the Government to undertake a SHLAA in order to help identify new sites for housing over 5, 10 and 15 year periods. This SHLAA will cover the areas of the South Hams and West Devon, outside of Dartmoor National Park. It is anticipated that the SHLAA will be completed and available to view by the public in early 2009.
The SHLAA is an essential part of the evidence base needed to inform Local Development Framework (LDF) documents and the consideration of future housing land allocations. However, it is important to note that the assessment does not determine whether a site should be allocated for housing development. Only the most suitable, sustainable and deliverable sites will be taken forward in the LDF.
Call for Sites
To help identify the full range of potential housing sites a "Call for Sites" was conducted by both Councils, from 18 July to 12 September 2008. Anyone wishing to submit a site in the South Hams for consideration was invited complete and return this 
form to the Forward Planning Team at South Hams District Council.
Details on the process in West Devon are available at www.westdevon.gov.uk
Methodology
The South Hams and West Devon SHLAA Methodology sets out the criteria for sites to be considered in the SHLAA. It is important to note that sites proposed as part of the SHLAA process must:
- be sustainably located (within or well related to an existing settlement); and
- provide five or more dwellings; and
- meet the following density requirements of 75 dwellings or more per hectare in town centers and 40 dwellings or more per hectare in all other locations.
The Stakeholder Panel
In line with government guidance, a Stakeholder Panel has been formed to help assess the sites identified. The panel includes representatives of local communities, housebuilders, social landlords, property agents and other agencies with expertise and knowledge of the local area, housing sites and the market.
The panel will consider and assess the suitability, availability and deliverability of sites having potential for housing development in accordance with the Methodology, within the administrative areas of the South Hams and West Devon, through a series of meetings. This part of the process is anticipated to continue into early 2009.
