Gross site area
For the purposes of determining housing density, ‘gross site area’ is the total land area as part of the development. Infrastructure and services serving a wider area (such as parks and open space) are considered part of the gross site area. This includes:
- Major distributor roads.
- Primary schools, churches, shopping areas etc.
- Open spaces serving the wider areas.
- Significant landscape buffering strips.
Net site area is the land that is available for development. It is also referred to as the area of developable land. The net site area is more than the land for dwellings and private space and includes other areas that contribute to the use and enjoyment directly linked to the developed dwellings. This includes:
- Access roads within the site.
- Private garden space.
- Car parking space.
- Incidental open space.
- Children’s play areas.
In planning practice it is common to determine net site area as a percentage of gross site area, known as the gross to net ratio.
Ref Telford & Wrekin Council Local Plan 2011 – 2031 Technical Paper. Density and net site area study, July 2015.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
About the 5 Percent Club and its members
The 5% Club; a dynamic movement of employers committed to building and developing the workforce.
New Homes in New Ways at the Building Centre
Accelerating the supply of new homes with MMC.
Quality Planning for Micro and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises
A CIOB Academy Technical Information sheet.
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.