Peterborough sub-regional strategic housing market
assessment
Strategic housing market assessments (SHMAs)
are cross-boundary studies of how housing markets are
working. SHMAs are important studies which inform local and
regional housing strategies, and are used in spatial planning
exercises. Their findings are also used by private developers to
provide information on the sub-regional housing market, and by
housing associations to identify areas of housing need.
SHMAs do not in themselves make policy, but they are a very
important part of the evidence base. They will, for instance,
inform ‘strategic land availability’ studies, ‘Local Development
Frameworks’ and the development of regional and sub-regional
housing policy. Strategic Housing Market Assessments take place
across Housing Market Areas (HMAs). Housing markets are complex and
do not confine themselves to the geographical boundaries, such as
local authority areas or city borders. The Housing Market Area that
Peterborough falls into is covered by:
- The administrative boundaries of Peterborough City Council
- The administrative boundaries of South Holland, South Kesteven
and Rutland councils (an area defined as the ‘Peterborough Partial
HMA’ by the East Midlands Regional Assembly)
- Parts of East Northamptonshire, Fenland and Huntingdonshire
(which also partially fall under different housing market
areas)
The SHMA study was commissioned and led by the HMA Steering
Group, consisting of:
- Cambridgeshire County Council
- The East Midlands Regional Assembly
- East Northamptonshire District Council
- Fenland District Council
- The 'Housing Corporation' (now known as the 'Homes and
Community Agency)
- Huntingdonshire District Council
- Lincolnshire County Council
- Peterborough City Council
- Rutland County Council
- South Holland District Council
- South Kesteven District Council
The Steering Group greatly appreciated the assistance received
from the consultants Fordham Research (who have undertaken the core
analysis and prepared the reports), wider stakeholders and local
residents.