No new sites have been allocated for development in Southampton for 14 years, a public inquiry has heard.

Local planning authorities are required to update details every year on the land that is available as part of a process to show whether it will be able to meet housing targets.

The inquiry relates to a scheme for the former St Mary’s Independent School playing fields, which is not allocated for development in local planning policy.

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While appellant Sovereign Network Group (SNG), which wants to build 84 homes on the site in Bitterne, and the council agree that the five-year land supply is not being met, there was a disagreement to the extent of the problem.

The inquiry heard that the council last brought forward new site allocations for development in 2010.

Christopher Young KC, legal representative for SNG, asked council strategic planning manager Amber Trueman if this was an acceptable situation.

“I would agree, it is not preferable,” Ms Trueman said.

In relation to the situation in Southampton, Ms Trueman said she agreed when asked if there was an unacceptable failure of allocating land for development.

Mr Young KC said it was the fault of the councillors, not officers, when residents did not like unallocated sites like the one in the appeal come forward for development.

The disagreement over the extent of the five-year land supply is centred over whether the proposed development of the gas works site near St Mary’s Stadium, which is yet to receive full planning permission, should be included in the supply and the weighting given to the co-living accommodation Olleco scheme in Crescent Road.

There was also disagreement over the method used to calculate the small sites windfall allowance – sites of up to nine homes that are not identified in a development plan.

Witness on behalf of appellant Benjamin Pycroft said he could not see the council delivering a five-year housing land supply in the foreseeable future.

Mr Pycroft, director of Emery Planning said two major schemes with planning approval had not started construction – Debenhams and Toys R Us – and two sites had seen some completion but both had stalled after developer Inland Homes was liquidated.

SNG’s appeal concerns a the council's refusal of an application to build 84 homes on land to the rear of what was St Mary’s Independent School.

It's expected to last until the latter stage of next week.