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Planning Policy Statements

My right honourable friend the Minister for Housing and Planning has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. This Statement concerns a package of changes to planning policy the Government are announcing today. We are consulting on draft planning policy statement (PPS) 3: Housing, draft planning policy statement (PPS) 25: Flooding and we are publishing a new green belt direction. Copies of these documents will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 3: Housing The Government's housing policy aims to deliver a step on the housing ladder for future generations of homeowners, quality and choice for those who rent, and, sustainable, mixed and inclusive communities. To do this, we need the planning system to provide for new homes which are well-designed and built to high environmental standards, in places that are well located, with good access to jobs and key services. Draft PPS3, which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is publishing today, is a key component of our strategy to deliver more homes where they are needed. It provides a national policy framework for those at regional and local level responsible for developing planning policies. It advocates an evidence-based approach, including the use of sustainability appraisals, in order to ensure that development plans provide a sound framework for deciding planning applications. Draft PPS3 introduces important changes in the approach to planning for housing. Planning needs to be more responsive to the housing market, and to take account of affordability alongside the social and environmental impacts of development. It continues the priority for brownfield sites. It attaches high importance to the design and mix of housing that is delivered in new developments to improve the quality of residential environments and contribute to the delivery of sustainable communities. New Green Belt Direction The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also today issuing through a circular to local authorities a new Town and Country Planning (Green Belt) Direction. This new direction will come into force on 3 January 2006 and will, for the first time, specifically require planning applications for inappropriate development of certain types and scale in the green belt which local planning authorities are minded to approve to be referred to my right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister. The direction will ensure that the Secretary of State has the opportunity to consider whether to call in for public inquiry and his own determination the more significant and potentially most harmful development proposals in the green belt before they can be approved. However, the Secretary of State will continue to use his powers of intervention selectively, in line with his call-in policy. The introduction of a new, free-standing green belt direction demonstrates the continuing importance that the Government attach to the protection of the green belt. Planning Policy Statement (PPS 25: Flooding) To strengthen the key role of the planning system in managing flood risk we are publishing for consultation:"a new planning policy statement (PPS)25: Development and Flood Risk;""a proposal for a flooding direction; and""a proposal to make the Environment Agency a statutory consultee for planning applications in flood risk areas." The draft PPS25 strengthens and clarifies planning policy on development and flood risk to:"ensure flood risk is taken into account at all stages in the planning process;""avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding; and""direct development away from areas at highest risk." The proposed flooding direction will provide greater scrutiny for major developments proposed in flood risk areas. Where local authorities intend approve applications that the Environment Agency still objects to, ODPM could consider whether to call them in for decision by a Minister. Making the Environment Agency a statutory consultee for planning applications in flood risk areas will reinforce implementation of PPS25 by ensuring that the agency is able to advise on all applications where flood risk is an issue.