HBF campaigns against feared planning restrictions

The House-Builders' Federation has started a broad-based initiative to have the Government's new policy guidance note PPG 13 overturned. It fears these guidelines could restrict future developments.

The HBF has made contacts with the British Property Federation, the British Road Federation and the trade association of the British Aggregates Construction Materials Industries (Bacmi). It has also approached J Sainsbury, Vauxhall and Ford.

Roger Humber, HBF director, said: 'We are sounding out other industries to see if they share our concern.'

If councils are granted more autonomy determining housing requirements, housebuilders fear greater restrictions in counties round London.