Following the Barker review on housebuilding the Government, in its rush to increase housing numbers, is steamrollering ahead with schemes to strengthen the role of the marketplace and weaken the planning system. Such an approach would devastate large parts of the countryside and condemn areas in need of regeneration to further decline and neglect - yet fail to meet the serious and widespread need for affordable housing.

Reflecting widespread worries expressed by members CPRE National Office published a strong counterblast in its Housing Manifesto in October 2005.

The Manifesto admits we need new housing but argues it must be well designed and located, meet local needs and enhance the local environment. A strong planning system is vital in achieving this. It can breathe new life into rundown urban areas while protecting the countryside for future generations to enjoy. Without that there won't be any public concensus on the scale location and pace of change and ensuring we make the best use of our limited natural resources of land, water and minerals.

The Hampshire Branch strongly supports these principles. And we have reiterated this approach in responding critically to the Government's proposed new Policy Planning Statement 3: Housing. If it goes ahead without amendment it would seriously erode important safeguards in the present arrangements and weaken our local voice.

What we find difficult to understand is the Government refusal to accept the successes of the present policies. By drawing on the ready supply of brownfield land, Hampshire last year clocked up its largest build since the 1980s - 7618 dwellings - without having to call on a number of greenfield sites held in reserve. We strongly back this reserve approach supported by rigorous annual monitoring of building rates.