Guidance

How to assess and allocate sites for development

This guidance explains the principles for allocating sites and the methods that should be applied in order to make sure the sites chosen are the most appropriate for the neighbourhood.

• From: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
• Published: 31 March 2026

Applies to England

Documents

How to assess and allocate sites for development

PDF, 1.2 MB, 41 pages

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Appendix A: site assessment template

PDF, 389 KB, 14 pages

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Appendix B: guidance notes and template for the site assessment

PDF, 482 KB, 21 pages

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Details

This guidance covers:

• the site assessment process
• how to draft a site allocation policy
• a site assessment template and guidance on how to use it

Published 31 March 2026