The research into land use, development and other planning policy issues carried out by our Strategic Planning team.
The purpose of research and monitoring is to inform the planning process and provide a sound factual basis for decision-making, whilst data also contributes to government statistics.
Every year we produce the following:
- Development Monitoring Report
- Residential Development Survey
- Business Development Survey
along with other research required to support planning policy.
Much of this work is publicly available and is detailed here.
For further information email research.monitoring@bristol.gov.uk.
Authority's Monitoring Report (AMR)
The pdf Bristol Development Monitoring Report 2021 (3.19 MB) is the Local Planning Authority's Monitoring Report (AMR).
The AMR supports the Bristol Local Plan and is an important element in providing the comprehensive, robust and credible evidence base, which is required to support the development of sound policies.
The 2021 report covers the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 and is produced in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (section 35), as amended by the Localism Act 2011 (section 113).
For more information, email research.monitoring@bristol.gov.uk
Five Year Housing Land Supply Assessment
The five year housing land supply assessment is an annual assessment of the supply of deliverable housing development sites in Bristol.
pdf Five Year Housing Land Supply Report 2020 to 2025 (1.22 MB)
Housing Delivery Test Action Plan
The Housing Delivery Test Action Plan explains how we plan to create new homes in Bristol.
Bristol Residential Development Survey (RDS)
The Bristol RDS is an annual monitoring survey providing information about housing development in the city, based on planning permissions and site surveys.
The main findings report includes figures for the provision of new housing and changes since 2006.
RDS data is required for returns to government and internal performance reporting, and relates to the previous financial year.
If you need the information in a different format, email research.monitoring@bristol.gov.uk.
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment 2009
The pdf Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) 2009 (6.97 MB) formed part of the evidence base to support the delivery of the Core Strategy.
The SHLAA was prepared in consultation with stakeholders and aims to identify as many of the potentially developable housing sites in Bristol as possible:
pdf SHLAA Stakeholder Methodology and Technical Assessment 2008 (8.52 MB)
Developable sites are those which are considered to be in a suitable location for housing development and have a reasonable prospect of being developed before 2026.
Employment Land Study
We have undertaken an Employment Land Study (ELS) as a part of the BDF process. The ELS has two main aims:
- To identify the city's employment land requirements for the period 2006-2026 based on an analysis of economic forecasts, recent trends and policy aspirations;
- To assess the quality of the city's main employment areas for continued use and identify potential new land to meet future requirements.
Download the ELS and Annex below.
For further information, please contact the Strategic and Citywide Policy Team on 0117 903 6728.
Bristol Business Development Survey (BDS)
We carry out an annual survey of planning consents relating to business development.
The survey tracks the implementation of permissions affecting retail, office, industrial, warehousing, community infrastructure and leisure uses.
- pdf Business Development Survey 2022 (1.09 MB)
- pdf Schedule of sites from the Business Development Survey (BDS) 2022 (1.03 MB)
For further information, call 0117 922 4688 or email research.monitoring@bristol.gov.uk.
Bristol Citywide Retail Study
The council commissioned consultants DTZ in 2006 to carry out a Citywide Retail Study.
Phase 1 of the study (June 2007) examines the current and future role of retailing in Bristol and forecasts what the future need will be, taking into account issues such as housing growth.
Phase 2 (October 2007) presents forecasts of potential new retail capacity across three sub-areas within the city, based on three alternative growth scenarios.
If you have any comments or queries on the study please contact us at research.monitoring@bristol.gov.uk.
Local Aggregates Assessment for the West of England
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires Mineral Planning Authorities to plan for a steady and adequate supply of aggregates by preparing a Local Aggregates Assessment (LAA) each year. The report is based on sales data and other relevant information, including an assessment of all aggregate supply options.
The LAA for the West of England 2012 to 2021 has been jointly prepared by Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
pdf 2012 to 2021 West of England: Local Aggregates Assessment (646 KB)