Planning Policy Statement
17th Oct 2007
AN important policy document came into effect at the start of this month that will influence how local councils view new housing developments and how they consider current and future housing needs in their areas.
Many people recognise that one of the failings of the planning system has been in the delivery of affordable housing.
Planning Policy Statement 3 (PPS 3) Housing, which updates previous planning guidance on housing published in 2000, emphasises the government’s commitment to providing homes for people who are unable to access or afford market housing.
Councils will now have a greater flexibility in forcing developers to provide a percentage of affordable housing where there is a recognised need, ranging from 25-100 per cent of the total housing in a development, depending on the area.
The government also places a greater emphasis on the design of new housing developments.
In response to what has been seen as bland, unimaginative housing design for the last 30-40 years, homes and their surrounding neighbourhoods must be well designed and councils now have more power to turn down badly designed schemes.
Councils must continue to favour development on brownfield sites. PPS 3 gives them power to refuse housing schemes on greenfield sites if brownfield sites are available and proven to be viable for development.
The creation of sustainable communities remains high on the government’s agenda. PPS 3 emphasises the need to focus new housing in suitable locations offering a range of community facilities with good access to jobs, key services and infrastructure.
The commitment to cutting carbon emissions is reflected in the need for new housing development to be focused in locations with good, accessible public transport rather than reliance on the private car.
Finally, in response to the shortage of housing throughout the country, council’s are also required to a have a direction for housing over a 15 year period and must provide a rolling 15 year land supply for new homes.
This will prevent delays in the delivery of new housing and signals the need for councils to plan for the future and to invest in and deliver the necessary infrastructure.
As a result of PPS 3, we should all expect to see more affordable housing of a better quality design in sustainable locations throughout the UK.
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