In response to the impact of the recession and credit crunch, NLP developed the Mortgage Availability Index tool which identifies areas where housing development is now less likely as a consequence of increased sensitivity to mortgage lending risk. The tool can be applied to test land supply strategies in Straegic Housing Land Availability Assessments (SHLAA) and development plans.
NLP piloted the study in the North East region. The research showed that many of the localities where housing transactions have fallen most are the very same areas where planning authorities propose to deliver a high proportion of new homes. The study raised serious concerns about the deliverability of their plans.