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Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment

Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessments (HELAA) are studies that form part of the evidence base for the preparation of Local Plans. They help identify potential sites that may be deliverable and developable for new housing, employment and other uses over a period that looks forward over the next 15 years (or the period of the Local Plan).

Local Authorities within the Exeter Housing Market Area have worked together since 2007 to produce a methodology for undertaking the housing element of the HELAA (formally referred to as Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessments (SHLAAs). This 2021 version supersedes previous SHLAA/HELAA methodology updates.

HELAA Methodology

A joint methodology sets out how the HELAA process is undertaken in the sub-region. The current version of the methodology can be found below:

Exeter Housing Market Area HELAA Methodology (May 2021)

Terms of Reference and Constitution

SHLAA History  

SCLAA History

Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment 2026

Mid Devon previously held a Call for sites 8 February – 22 March 2021 and 6 February - 14 March 2025. Updates to the 2021 Call for sites were also invited as part of the 2025 Call. Individuals and organisations were able to provide the Council sites that they thought had development potential for housing, economic and other uses. This has enabled us to understand the most recent information on available sites across Mid Devon and help inform the development of our Local Plan.

The purpose of a HELAA is to identify the potential future supply of land which is suitable, available and achievable for housing, economic and other development uses over a development plan period. It is an important source of evidence to inform plan-making and decision-taking. However, the assessment itself does not determine whether a site should be allocated for development or whether a site should receive planning permission. The role of the assessment is to provide information on the range of sites that are available to meet the Mid Devon District Council’s requirements, but it is for the development plan itself to determine which of those sites are most suitable to meet those requirements. Any sites deemed suitable, available and achievable by the HELAA, if they are taken forward through the Local Plan preparation process, will be subject to public consultation. The HELAA may be a material consideration in the determination of planning proposals however it does not amount to planning permission for development.

The development potential of sites put forward to the Council has been assessed by local authority officers, subject specialists and representatives from a range of industries. The conclusions of the findings of these assessments have been published in a Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) below:

Appendix 3A - Central:

Appendix 3B - West:

Appendix 3C - East:

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