§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the powers he has to require private developers to provide a proportion of affordable housing in new housing developments; [13006]
(2) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of local authorities' powers to ensure that new developments include a sufficient proportion of affordable housing. [13008]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe courts have held that a community's need for a mix of housing types—including affordable housing—is capable of being a material consideration in the determination of planning applications by local authorities or the Secretary of State or appeals by the Secretary of State. The courts have also held that the Government's statements of planning policy are material considerations which must be taken into account, where relevant, in decisions on planning applications or appeals.
The Department's current policies on how the planning system can contribute to the overall supply of affordable housing are set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing, as supplemented by Circular 13/96. On 24 July 1997 the Government issued for consultation a draft revision of Circular 13/96. The consultation period ended on 3 October 1997. My Department is currently analysing the responses.