Epsom and Ewell HEDNA, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

Client: Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
Location: Epsom
Discipline(s):

GL Hearn’s Economic Planning team produced a Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA) for Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC). The study assesses the future development needs for housing (both market and affordable) and employment land across the Borough over the plan period of 2022-2040.

The work included extensive engagement activity including with The Jockey Club who run Epsom Downs Racecourse. The HEDNA forms a fundamental part of the supporting evidence for EEBC’s new Local Plan.

Outcome

The HEDNA encompassed:

• analysis of relevant evidence to identify the Housing Market Area (HMA) and Functional Economic Market Area (FEMA) that EEBC falls within;
• local housing need (LHN) for EEBC, including consideration of housing required to support forecast jobs growth;
• economy and employment forecasts commissioned from Oxford Economics from which custom growth scenarios were developed to capture local economic conditions;
• a detailed commercial market assessment of the Borough;
• need for affordable housing and specialist housing for older and disabled people in the Borough;
• employment land requirements across the FEMA; and
• consultations with a number of key stakeholders concerning housing and economic development, including The Jockey Club due to the Borough’s substantial presence in the horse racing sector.

GL Hearn developed a bespoke approach for the HEDNA and hosted individual Housing and Economic Development workshops, where feedback from key stakeholders re-emphasised and informed recommendations made in the study.

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