New medium-density homes are generally more affordable than low-density, according to new research published by the National Housing and Planning Advisory Unit.
Yet it still attacks an emphasis on higher-density brownfield development, which it says would not meet consumer preference and would not promote affordability.
The Unit, set up to implement the findings of the Barker reviews and make greenfield development more acceptable, commissioned the research from Heriot Watt University to see how mix, density and location of new build affects first-time buyers.
The study actually concludes that, in most cases, new build is not affordable by under-40 families and that one-size-fits-all planning policies should be avoided, but says the affordability criterion cuts across those of residential quality and commercial viability, as costlier houses are less affordable.
With this conflict in mind, it suggests that house prices appear as a double-edged sword and proposes a "happy medium" approach, trying to ensure prices are high enough to achieve viability and "satisfaction" without sacrificing affordability.
The study looked at 10 schemes in five urban locations and densities of 30, 50 and 120dph.
It counsels against a one-size-fits-all approach, and then launches an attack on brownfield-first policies.
"While it would be unfair to characterise the policies of the early 2000s as being only about building high density flats on brownfield urban sites, there was a perception that that was the main preference and this contributed to the marked shift in provision in this period," it says.
"The evidence from this study suggests that such an exclusive emphasis would not serve well in meeting the preferences of a wide range of consumers, and neither would it necessarily promote affordability."
It suggests policy guidance should recognise local variation and monitoring of viability and affordability.
