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<p>The Government recognises the importance of understanding trends and shifts in
the way people live and the implications for housing demand, as well as the importance
of ensuring access to green spaces and increasing the supply of affordable housing.
The Department will continue to analyse trends in housing demand, including increasing
demand outside of towns and cities, to gauge the nature, size and permanence of any
shift in housing preferences. <br> <br> The National Planning Policy Framework expects
local authorities to recognise the character and beauty of the countryside and to
protect and enhance Green Belt, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and other designated
rural land. To further support regeneration of brownfield sites, in December, we announced
changes to the standard method for assessing local housing need to increase greater
need in urban areas to maximise the use of existing infrastructure, such as public
transport, schools, medical facilities and shops, as well as to encourage development
that reduces the need for high-carbon travel. <br> <br> We are committed to increasing
the supply of affordable housing nationally. At budget we announced our new £11.5
billion Affordable Homes Programme, the largest investment in affordable housing in
a decade. Our Planning for the Future White Paper sets out proposals to create a new
Infrastructure Levy, which will be designed to deliver at least as much onsite affordable
housing as at present and will continue to be collected and spent at the local level.</p>
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