Councils and communities are being given immediate powers to prevent the destructive practice of garden grabbing and to decide what types of homes are suitable for their area, Decentralisation Minister Greg Clark announced on the 9th June 2010.

Over the last decade, many councils have been left frustrated at the increasing amount of inappropriate development on gardens which they have been unable to prevent. This is because planning guidance has classified gardens as previously residential land, in the same Brownfield category as derelict factories and disused railway sidings.

Recently published Government figures show that the proportion of new houses built on previously residential land such as gardens has risen dramatically, from one in ten to one in four between 1997 and 2008 - robbing communities of green breathing space, safe places for children to play and havens for urban wildlife.

Clark also recently unveiled plans to take gardens out of the Brownfield category, a simple step that will dramatically transform councils ability to prevent unwanted development on gardens where local people object and protect the character of their neighbourhoods.

Clark is also scrapping the minimum density target so that town halls can work with the local community to decide what new homes are best for their area. The target has contributed to the lack of family sized homes and flats that local people need. Councils will be able decide what level of density is appropriate for their area, and work with developers to deliver the right mix of homes for the local community, encouraging more family homes and affordable housing.