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Press Release

NEW PLANNING POLICY FOR HOUSEBUILDING IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

29.11.06

Countryside campaigners CPRE welcomed new Government policies on planning for housing published today (Wednesday) [2] which should help ensure that new housing can deliver environmental benefits and better meets housing needs. But we are concerned that the Government will not be policing low density and greenfield housing development to the extent it has in the past [3].

Neil Sinden, CPRE’s Policy Director, said:

‘The debate about the level and kind of new housing we need will continue, but we hope this new policy will help planners deliver more of the right kind of homes in the right places.

‘The location of new housing is a critical factor in minimising its environmental impact. Recycling previously developed, ‘‘brownfield’’ land in our towns and cities can help make them more attractive, liveable and sustainable by improving derelict land, sustaining local services and reducing the need to travel by car.

‘The planning system should also do more to help deliver a big increase in building subsidised, affordable homes for those unable to afford market housing – including in many villages and market towns.

‘The new policies published today will help local councils to do this by increasing the proportion of affordable housing required on larger development sites and by allowing them to allocate land solely for affordable housing in small rural settlements.’

Neil Sinden concluded:

‘The impact of these improvements in policy will depend on how they are applied on the ground.

‘CPRE groups throughout the country will be working with local councils to make sure we get the best from the new policy framework. We’re determined to sustain recent progress in renewing our towns and cities, and in protecting the countryside from unnecessary development for the benefit of us all.’



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