§ Lord Bridgesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the maximum density of 30 housing units per hectare, as set out in Policy Planning Guidance 3, is compatible with all other passages of the PPG; and whether the application of this minimum density of housing in rural villages is in keeping with Her Majesty's Government's commitment to provide housing to meet local needs in order to secure a mixed and balanced community. [HL6063]
Lord Rooker: The policies set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 Housing (PPG3) are concerned with meeting the housing requirements of the whole community in the most sustainable way. Local planning authorities are expected to make sufficient land available in rural areas to meet the needs of local people and to encourage housing developments which make more efficient use of land (at least 30 dwellings per hectare net). PPG3 explains that good design and layout can help to achieve the Government's objectives of avoiding the inefficient use of land and creating mixed communities.