The Scottish Government's Firm Foundations consultation set out a commitment to further the integration of land use planning and housing strategy through a strengthened national policy framework.
The strategic assessment of housing need and markets is a key component of this and Housing Need and Demand Assessment Guidance is available. This replaces all previous guidance on this topic. A covering letter was issued to local authorities alongside the new guidance.
The Scottish Government has issued a Consultative Draft of Scottish Planning Policy 3: Planning for Housing (SPP3). The draft's consultation period ran until 31 March 2008 and responses are being analysed with a view to publishing a final revised SPP3 in summer 2008.
The new Housing Need and Demand Assessment Guidance was issued before the consultation closed so that those responding to the Draft SPP3 could see the new guidance in full.
The guidance sets out an approach to assessing housing need and demand to provide evidence to inform the development of Local Housing Strategies and Development Plans. The Scottish Government will issue revised guidance on Local Housing Strategies shortly.
Updated 9 June 2008