Written question asked by Nick Hawkins (Conservative) on Wednesday, 9 June 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 June 2004. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Monday, 14 June 2004 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: 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.

Answer: 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.

Secondary information