Consider adding a development type field to residential units

[colmjude]

GLA has asked whether the national standard should include a development type field.

GLA uses this information to support starts and completions reporting.

What GLA is asking for

The ask is to include a development type field and an associated set of values in the standard.

The discussion to date suggests this may be more appropriate as decision-stage data populated or corrected by the LPA, rather than as a field applicants are expected to complete at submission stage.

What we still need from GLA

• the exact list of development types they use
• how those values are used in reporting and operationally
• whether they expect applicants to provide the value, or boroughs to supply or correct it
• examples showing why the field is needed and what cannot be derived without it

We also need to confirm whether this is intended to align with PS1 / PS2 codes and, if so, what the canonical source is.

[colmjude]

Current policy position is that this should not be a submission-stage applicant field.

If this information is needed, it is more likely to belong in decision-stage data populated or confirmed by the LPA. A submission form should only ask for information that helps determine the planning decision.

Next step

Keep this as a suggestion and ask GLA for clearer rationale, examples, and clarification on the intended value set. Also confirm whether this should instead be handled through decision-stage work.