Support For More Housing Within Existing Urban Areas

1 July 2005
SUPPORT FOR MORE HOUSING WITHIN EXISTING URBAN AREAS
Government should play a part in addressing Northern Ireland’s need for affordable housing said the Regional Development Minister, Shaun Woodward.
The Minister was speaking as he issued Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS12), entitled ‘Housing in Settlements’, which he said is a guide to housing development in Northern Ireland for the foreseeable future. It also sets out the range of government policies that address affordability.
"We want to see more people own their own homes and, whilst it is not possible for Government to deal with all the issues which surround the provision of affordable housing, there are ways in which we can help.
"The key mechanism is obviously the co-ownership scheme but within PPS12 we outline some other means that can be used. For instance, the zoning of land for social housing will help Housing Associations get sites to build houses. Also, the Housing Growth Indicators contained in the Regional Development Strategy are in the process of being increased. This should increase the supply of housing, which may reduce house prices and thus also help affordability."
The Minister said that PPS12 set out the policies for housing in cities, towns and other settlements throughout Northern Ireland and will assist in the implementation of the Regional Development Strategy (RDS).
"It will influence the future pattern of housing by managing future housing growth and distribution, support urban renaissance and achieve balanced communities. The PPS promotes the drive to provide more housing within existing urban areas and encourage more compact urban forms. It promotes higher density housing without town cramming through imaginative and innovative design, providing a mix of housing tenures and types to create more balanced communities," he added.
NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Regional Development Strategy was published with the approval of the Assembly on 20 September 2001. It provides an overarching strategic framework to facilitate and guide public and private investment and shape wider society. It is not limited to land use, but impacts on social, economic and environmental matters and provides a strategic framework for infrastructure investment decisions.

An important component of the RDS is the development of key regional Planning Policy Statements. The Department for Regional Development is committed to producing Planning Policy Statement 12 – "Housing in Settlements". This PPS will assist in the implementation of the RDS.

The final publication of PPS 12 follows an earlier four-month public consultation on the Draft PPS 12 in November 2002, when some 50 comments were received. The final PPS 12 can be obtained on the DRD web site www.drdni.gov.uk/shapingourfuture or by telephoning 028 9054 0186.

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