Planning Policy Statements (PPS) and Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs) set out the Government's national policies on different aspects of land use planning in England.

PPS1: Delivering Sustainable Development - states that planning should facilitate and promote sustainable and inclusive patterns of urban and rural development by:

• Making suitable land available for development in line with economic, social and environmental objectives to improve people's quality of life
• Contributing to sustainable economic development
• Protecting and enhancing the natural and historic environment, the quality and character of the countryside, and existing communities
• Ensuring high quality development through good and inclusive design, and the efficient use of resources
• Ensuring that development supports existing communities and contributes to the creation of safe, sustainable, liveable and mixed communities with good access to jobs and key services for all members of the community.

The Government's key housing policy goal is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity of living in a decent home, which they can afford, in a community where they want to live. To achieve this, the Government is seeking:

• To achieve a wide choice of high quality homes, both affordable and market housing, to address the requirements of the community
• To widen opportunities for home ownership and ensure high quality housing for those who cannot afford market housing, in particular those who are vulnerable or in need
• To improve affordability across the housing market, including by increasing the supply of housing
• To create sustainable, inclusive, mixed communities in all areas, both urban and rural.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/ppg13

The guidance seeks to focus new development in the most sustainable areas, with housing in locations that are highly accessible by public transport, walking and cycling.