Assess suitability, availability and viability of sites

The SPPS is silent on a definition of suitability, availability & viability. However, to provide clarity and greater certainty around this aspect of the sequential test the council considers it important to elaborate on these definitions. Suitability When judging the suitability of a site it is necessary to have a proper understanding of the appropriateness and likely market attractiveness for the type, scale and form of the development needed, and what aspect(s) of the need are intended to be met by the site(s). There will also be a requirement to consider flexibility in the format and scale of the development proposed for the city centre and other centres. The following factors are likely to be relevant when assessing whether a site offers a suitable location for development: • policy restrictions – such as designations, protected areas and existing planning policy; • physical problems or limitations – such as access, infrastructure, ground conditions, flood risk, hazardous risks, pollution or contamination; • potential impacts – including effect upon landscape features and conservation; and