Planning policy statement 3 “Housing”, published on 29 November, gives local planning authorities greater flexibility as to the location and kind of housing that they wish to see in their area. Local planning authorities can set separate targets for different kinds of brownfield land if they need to. For example, they could choose, as a matter of policy, to concentrate development on available vacant or derelict land rather than on previously-residential or garden land. PPS3 also gives them greater flexibility to address concerns around development on previously-residential or garden land in areas where it would be inappropriate.
PPS3 states in clear terms that there is no presumption that land is suitable for housing simply because it is brownfield, stressing the need for sites to be suitable for housing development, and in suitable locations that will contribute to the creation of sustainable, mixed communities.