TMBC Strategic Housing Market Assessment

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council (TMBC) (‘The Council’) is looking to commission a Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) to inform the emerging Local Plan and provide a tool for development management decisions. Whilst local plan timescales have not been formally confirmed / agreed, it is likely that a Regulation 18 consultation will take place around Summer 2025, with the aim of Local Plan submission by the December 2026 deadline as currently proposed In the latest NPPF consultation. The SHMA will need to inform the Regulation 18 Local Plan and will form an integral part of the evidence base to underpin new housing related policies in the emerging Local Plan. The work will relate to the whole Local Planning Authority Area.

A Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) is intended to provide an assessment of both housing need and demand. It considers the scale and mix of housing needed over the longer-term, both market and affordable, taking account of population and demographic dynamics, and the housing needs of different groups within the local community.

The purpose of the study is to provide an up-to-date, robust and comprehensive evidence base for housing associated with the Local Planning Authority Area during the period to 2042, in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and national guidance contained in the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG). The study should follow the amendments to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (uses B2 and B8 and E).

Key Dates & Timeline for Procurement

The Council will endeavour to adhere to the following timetable but will not incur any liability whatsoever for any variations that become necessary:-

Tender release: Monday 9 December 2024
Expression of Interest Deadline: 12:00pm on Monday 6 January 2025
Deadline for submission of completed tenders: 12:00pm on Monday 13 January 2025
Evaluation: w/c 13 January 2025
Appointment of contractor: by 27 January 2025
Inception meeting (if necessary): 28 January 2025
First draft with key indicators: w/c 14 April 2025
Draft report: w/c 19 May 2025
Presentation to Council if needed - TBC
Meeting to discuss study conclusions and final report: 3 June 2025
Final report submitted: 20 June 2025