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Local Plan

Last updated on: 19-Mar-2020

10. Rural Housing Needs Survey

We have a statutory duty (1985 Housing Act) to investigate housing needs and examine ways of meeting those needs. We have a rolling programme for updating Rural Housing Needs Surveys (every five years) as recommended by best practice.

The aim of the Rural Housing Needs Surveys is to provide an impartial evidenced overview of the scale and nature of the housing need in a village or parish. Information from these surveys is used to ensure new homes built contribute towards meeting the needs of existing local residents.

Rural Housing Needs Survey (RHNS) timetable:

List of Rural Housing Needs Surveys
Parish Village	Published RHNS	Replacement RHNS undertaken	Indicative Future Rolling Programme
Cobham	March 2015	April 2020	April 2025
Higham	October 2015	February 2020	February 2025
Meopham	February 2015	January 2020	January 2025
Luddesdown	November 2013	October 2018	October 2023
Shorne	November 2013	October 2018	October 2023
Vigo	June 2012	June 2017	June 2022
Istead Rise	July 2012	July 2017	July 2022

The most recent Rural Housing Needs Surveys are available to download below: