§ 40. Mr. Tim SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is given to local authorities on overdevelopment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveCounty structure plans may give general guidance on densities. It is for district planning authorities to decide what detailed policies on density it is desirable to include in their local plans. Such policies should help authorities in dealing with individual applications. Planning policy guidance note No. 3 ("Land for Housing") emphasises that schemes should be well integrated with the existing pattern of settlement and surrounding land uses and that new housing in towns and villages should be sympathetic in scale and character. Planning policy guidance note No. 7 ("Rural Enterprise and Development") re-emphasises the scope for better layouts, more landscaping and lower densities.