An influential odpm committee has backed demands for density targets to be scrapped in the North.
Planning policy guidance note PPG3 states that developments need to be at least 30 homes per hectare. But Northern housing experts say this policy ignores the needs of the region, which has thousands of empty homes.

A report published last Friday by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's select committee, agreed that planning policy is failing the regions. Reducing Regional Disparities in Prosperity said: "In the same way that national economic development policies should take regional differences into account, regionally differentiated national planning policies need to be considered."

Ian Prescott, deputy chief executive of Newcastle-based association Nomad Housing, said: "With the Communities Plan the government has recognised it needs a very different housing policy for the North of England. It's time for a similar approach on planning."

However an ODPM spokesman rejected calls for the policy to be split, adding that PPG3 is being reviewed to make it more effective.

The report also reinforced criticism that economic differences between the South-east and the rest of the country have soared, adding that regional assemblies and development agencies will only scratch the surface of the problem.

It also found that poor housing in the North is a symptom of poor economic performance and should not be tackled in isolation.

Source

Housing Today