§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the role of low-impact and self-built accommodation in the provision of affordable housing; and if he will make a statement. [3373]
§ Mr. ClappisonIn the last financial year, 7 per cent. of all new housing completions in the United Kingdom were self-built. My Department has grant-supported a number of charitable trusts and agencies promoting low-impact self-build accommodation in the belief that this represents a valuable contribution to the provision of affordable housing.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has(a) planned, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated into establishing practical criteria for assessing sustainable and low-impact developments, with particular regard to rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [3270]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordWe have commissioned good practice guidance on planning for sustainable development. Work on this continues, with a view to publication next year. We have no plans for research into "low-impact developments".
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment his Department has made of the capacity of the planning system to accommodate low-impact development; and if he will make a statement. [3359]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordWe have not conducted such research.