Debate on the cumulative impact of housing development

The debate pack explores different aspects of housing development, setting out planning policy requirements in the National Planning Policy Framework to identify housing need and ‘deliver a sufficient supply of homes’.

The debate pack also sets out how cumulative impacts can be better understood, through cumulative impact assessments. This type of assessment forms part of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Government guidance on EIA’s explains that local planning authorities (LPAs) should have regard to possible cumulative effects from existing and planned development.

In understanding the potential impacts of housing development, information is drawn from recent reports published by the House of Lords Library and House of Commons Environmental Audit Committees, and Homes England fact sheets. Stakeholder views are also set out to inform understanding of different types of housing need, the consequences of un-met need and the potential positive and negative impacts of housing development.