§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what responses he has received to his consultation on the future of the exceptions policy for housing. [137566]
§ Keith HillCurrent policy on providing for rural exception housing is set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: "Housing", Annex B. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recently published the consultation document "Influencing The Size, Type And Affordability Of Housing", which proposes that the current policy is replaced by a policy that enables local planning authorities to identify sites solely for affordable housing, on land within or adjoining existing villages, which would not otherwise be released for housing. The consultation period officially closed on 31 October 2003, but responses after that date have been considered because of the postal dispute. It is too early to say how many responses have been received or their nature.