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
The Council is preparing a HELAA to support the preparation of the new local plan ‘Plan Mid Devon’. A call for sites was undertaken in February/March 2025 and the sites are being assessed for their achievability and suitability. The HELAA will be published in due course.