LUC has undertaken a number of Growth Option Assessments for Housing on behalf of a number of Local Authorities. These involved detailed constraints and service accessibility analysis, as well as site level reporting. Given the spatial character of these assessments, our GIS team developed a number of geoprocessing models to streamline and automate the assessment process.

Our Growth Options analysis is based on a very detailed methodology developed together with LUC’s Planning team. Using scalable geoprocessing models allows us to break down this complex methodology into its smaller composite parts and undertake the analysis in a robust and modular way.

These projects start with the collation of hundreds of datasets from the relevant Local Authorities (with the aim to ensure cross-boundary continuity), as well as from different governmental bodies (eg Environment Agency, Historic England, Natural England). The primary aim of the spatial assessment is to:

1. identify areas which are outside primary constraints (which are fully off limit to development)
2. are affected by less than 4 secondary constraints (which can accommodate development under certain conditions)
3. have access to at least 3 services

The resulting areas, in conjunction with any areas identified as part of the Council’s SHLAA assessment, are used to determine potential growth areas.

The advantages achieved by using our GOT approach include increased efficiency, ease of updates and modification, removal of repetitive tasks, reduction of human error, increased speed of execution, clear audit trail and scope for their reuse on multiple projects.

If you would like to discuss how our GIS team could help you to develop your spatial development strategy, please get in touch with our GIS team. For further information on our ‘Growth options for housing delivery’ approach please visit our portfolio page.

There will be an opportunity to hear Edith talk about it in more detail at this year’s ESRI UK users conference in May