England · National documents
Housing and economic land availability assessment
Explains how authorities assess the suitability, availability and achievability of potential housing and employment sites.
AI-generated summaries of the linked official sources; not editorially reviewed. Sources and limits
Where this document applies
England: relevance depends on the proposal, site and planning process.
Housing and economic land availability assessment (official source, opens in a new tab) · Reference ID 3-001-20190722
An assessment does not allocate a site
A land-availability assessment identifies potential land supply and informs planning evidence. It does not itself decide which sites should be allocated: that choice belongs to the development plan. The page directs plans under the new system to separate current guidance.
Read the official source (official source, opens in a new tab) · Reference ID 3-001-20190722
Limits and checks
- This national source does not establish the local policies, designations or site facts that apply to an individual proposal.
- Some guidance predates the August 2026 Framework and may refer to earlier policy numbering. Read it with the current Framework and any applicable transition provisions.
Read alongside this document
Put the national source in your local context
Start with the exact refusal reason. Note the policy and paragraph it cites, then check your authority’s policy summary and the facts discussed in relevant appeal decisions. Each appeal turns on its own facts and does not predict another outcome.