Chris Chope asks Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Housing, Communities and Local Government for clarification on housing density.
Christopher Chope Conservative, Christchurch
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the minimum housing density is which local planning authorities can impose as a condition of granting planning permission for housing on (a) greenfield sites and (b) brownfield sites in England; and if he will make a statement.
Christopher Pincher Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
This Government does not impose a minimum density requirement nationally, but our National Planning Policy Framework provides strong encouragement to local authorities to make the most of suitable brownfield sites, especially for new homes. It is for each local authority to consider what housing density would be appropriate for any part of its area, and to incorporate relevant policies in its local plan as necessary.
This should take into account local constraints, which the local authority is best placed to assess. A local authority may also specify what density is appropriate in a housing scheme by imposing planning conditions on the planning permission. We have empowered local communities to create local design guidance and design codes, which can include limits on building height and density where appropriate to protect the character of a place.
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