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Housing: Construction

Asked by Afzal KhanLabourMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 24 October 2025UIN 81945

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help promote (a) private and (b) communal garden space in new housing developments; and whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing minimum garden density of 29.5% in all new developments.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

The National Planning Policy Framework emphasises the importance of a network of high quality, open spaces for the health and wellbeing of communities and the environment. This is supported by national design guidance, which explains that well designed places provide both usable private and public open green spaces, which can include private and communal gardens.

We currently have no plans to assess the merits of introducing minimum garden density in new developments.

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