| answer text |
<p>This Government strongly encourages the efficient and effective use of land. Our
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) already sets out that planning policies
and decisions should promote an effective use of land and make as much use as possible
of previously-developed land in meeting the need for homes and other uses, while safeguarding
and improving the environment, and ensuring safe and healthy living conditions.</p><p>The
NPPF sets out that local plans should establish density standards for city and town
centres which seek a significant uplift in density in those areas. Furthermore the
NPPF is clear that where there is a shortage of land for meeting housing needs, it
is especially important that planning policies and decisions avoid homes being built
at low densities and that developments make optimal use of the potential of each site.</p><p>We
have introduced a number of measures to support increased density including new permitted
development rights to allow more buildings to be extended upwards to create new homes,
and to make it easier for existing buildings to be converted to residential use. This
will further support residential densification while avoiding the need to build on
other types of land.</p><p>We are also bringing forward further reforms to support
density through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, including a duty for local
authorities to produce design codes to help shape the design of their area, giving
greater certainty to communities and developers. In addition ‘Street Votes’ will incentivise
communities to consider the potential for development and support a gentle increase
in densities through well-designed and locally supported proposals.</p>
|
|
