Manual of integrated demographic forecasting for local planning in Wales

This manual has the aim of boosting confidence in local demographic forecasting. It is an area essential to local planning. Demographic forecasts are specified in government planning guidance as the starting point for assessing housing need as a platform for statutory development plans. These in turn direct developers towards land set aside for housing or employment, so there are big stakes involved. Furthermore the guidance not only demands that government forecasts be interpreted. It demands that each local planning authority assess the inputs and assumptions made by the government against a variety of alternatives using evidence‐based modelling.