HC Deb 14 June 2004 vol 422 cc740-1W
Mr. Hoban

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what requirement there is upon local authorities to review the state of the housing market in their area. [177283]

Keith Hill

Local authorities are required, under Section 87 Local Government Act 2003 to produce a housing strategy for their area. This needs to be based on a robust analysis of the local housing market(s), in conjunction with neighbouring authorities, where appropriate, housing need in the area and the condition of the stock. New guidance on undertaking analysis of housing markets—the Housing Market Assessment Manual—was issued in February this year.

Mr. Hoban

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance the Government office for the south-east has issued to local authorities concerning local housing markets. [177284]

Keith Hill

Government office for the south-east (GOSE) has not issued any specific guidance to Local Authorities concerning assessment of housing markets. The South East England Regional Assembly is currently in the process of commissioning research into identifying the Local Housing Markets of South East England to support the Regional Housing Board in producing future Regional Housing Strategies. GOSE is represented on the steering group for this research, which is expected to report in the late summer.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also published national guidance on local housing market assessments in February 2004.

GOSE has also partnered the Regional Assembly in producing further guidance on local housing needs assessment and urban potential. This guidance was published by the Assembly in January 2004.

Mr. Hawkins

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will alter the guidance given to local authorities about preference for high-density housing in order to allow local authorities to follow their own local plans. [178697]

Keith Hill

No. Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 "Housing" (March 2000) (PPG3) sets out the national policy for promoting well-designed sustainable housing development that makes the best use of land. Local planning authorities are required, in formulating their policies, to have regard to this guidance. In considering planning applications in the interim, before development plans can be reviewed, local planning authorities should have regard to this guidance as a material consideration, which may supersede the policies in their development plan. As with any national policy, if there are local or regional circumstances, which justify a departure from national policy, these departures should be justified through the development plan process.