§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he is issuing to local planning authorities about the balance between(a) industrial and commercial development and (b) housing on brownfield sites. [114154]
§ Ms Beverley HughesOur newly published planning policy guidance for housing, PPG3, requires authorities to review their land allocations for employment and other uses to see whether they may be better used for housing.
§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he is issuing to local planning authorities about height restrictions on new housing build in(a) urban, (b) suburban and (c) rural areas. [114153]
§ Ms Beverley HughesPlanning Policy Guidance note 3, "Housing", requires local planning authorities, when considering design and layout to have regard not just to any immediate neighbouring buildings but the townscape and landscape of the wider locality. They are expected to adopt policies which create places and spaces with the needs of people in mind, which are attractive, have their own distinctive identity but respect and enhance local character.
The Government do not intend that PPG3's requirement to make more efficient use of land for housing should result in a return to 1960s-style high rise residential development.