HC Deb 26 October 1999 vol 336 cc784-5W
17. Mr. Day

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that his target for house building on brown-field sites is met. [94228]

Ms Beverley Hughes

We have set in hand a number of policy initiatives to help authorities substantially increase their reuse of previously developed land. Chief amongst these is our radical revision of the last Government's outmoded planning guidance on housing (PPG3), which has caused so much greenfield development over the last decade.

21. Mr. John M. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his target for the proportion of new housing to be built on brown-field sites. [94232]

Ms Beverley Hughes

The Government's national target is that 60 per cent. of new housing should be built on previously developed land or provided by way of conversion of existing buildings.

24. Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many houses will be built on greenfield sites in Lancashire in 1999–2000. [94236]

Mr. Raynsford

My Department does not estimate the number of new homes to be built. Estimates for Net Additional Dwelling Provision for 1991–2011, by county, are in Regional Planning Guidance for the North West (RPG13), but it does not make separate estimates for 'brownfield' or 'greenfield' sites.

25. Mr. Lilley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has further to restrict house building in the green belt. [94237]

Ms Armstrong

Planning Policy Guidance note 2——"Green Belts"——already recommends that local authorities' development plans should include a strict presumption against inappropriate development in the Green Belt. This includes most types of house building.