Available EHDC Powers: Strategic Site Selection Screens

What it is:
A method for choosing future allocated sites based not just on availability and suitability, but also delivery performance.

How EHDC should use it:
In future SHLAAs and Plan-making, screen out landowners with a poor delivery record.
Give preference to developers with proven track records of building within planned timelines.

Impact:
Shifts the incentives: rewards delivery, discourages speculative land hoarding.

🏡 What Are “Strategic Site Screens”?

When the Council is deciding which sites to include in the next Local Plan, it often asks:

  • Is the land suitable?
  • Is it available?
  • Is it sustainable?

But it should also ask:

“Is the landowner someone who actually builds?”

Strategic screening means weeding out the speculators — and prioritising those with a proven record of delivering homes on time and as promised.

🧭 What Could EHDC Do?

  • Add a test to its site selection process: “Has this landowner delivered on previous allocations?”
  • Prefer landowners or developers who:
    • Submit applications quickly,
    • Stick to agreed delivery schedules,
    • Deliver community benefits early.

🎯 Why Does It Matter?

If you reward slow or speculative behaviour with more land, you encourage more of it.

If you reward delivery, you get homes and infrastructure sooner and more reliably.

✅ Final Thought

Think of this as the Council saying:

“We’re not just choosing land — we’re choosing who to trust.”

It’s not about punishing people. It’s about giving opportunities to those who’ve proven they’ll follow through.