HC Deb 17 September 2004 vol 424 cc1819-20W
Llew Smith

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the area of(a) brownfield land and (b) greenfield land that will be used to deliver his Department's household projections in England by 2021 published on 8 September. [189340]

Keith Hill

The Government do not make estimates of land required to deliver household projections as it is the responsibility of Regional Planning Bodies and Local Planning Authorities to consider the amount of land needed for housing. However, the Government are committed to maximising the re-use of brownfield land. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister set a target that by 2008, 60 per cent. of additional housing should be provided on previously-developed land and through conversions of existing buildings. In 2002 the actual proportion was 66 per cent.

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires Regional Planning Bodies to prepare statutory Regional Spatial Strategies, replacing existing Regional Planning Guidance. These strategies will be required to identify the amount and distribution of housing in each region having regard to the Government's latest published household projections and national planning policy for housing as set out in PPG3. They will also need to consider other factors including the needs of the regional economy, environmental implications and the capacity of urban areas and existing or planned infrastructure to accommodate new housing.

Where the amount and location of previously-developed land varies across regions, Regional Planning Bodies and Local Planning Authorities are expected to work together to focus new housing in areas where previously-developed land is available in preference to developing greenfield sites. They should set out in their Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Frameworks targets for land recycling which contribute to the national target.