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The coalition government has today confirmed plans to scrap minimum housing density targets and outlaw the practice known as "garden-grabbing".

The minister for decentralisation, Greg Clark, said the power would be granted to councils and communities to "prevent the destructive practice of garden grabbing and decide what types of homes are suitable for their area".

The minimum density figures outlined in PPG3 of 30 dwellings per hectare will be scrapped, as the policy had contributed to a "lack of family sized homes and flats that local people need", according to the government. Councils will instead have the power to decide what level of density is appropriate for their area.

Grant Shapps, housing minister, said: "The current system with its push for high density has resulted in developers building one or two bedroom executive flats, when the greatest need is often for affordable family homes. That's why from today communities will be allowed to make their own decisions about what homes are needed in their area, and no longer be victims of a system designed to maximise profits and minimise choice."

This could have a potentially devastating impact on house building, as some councils could restrict the number of units built per hectare dramatically.

Garden grabbing will also be banned by amending PPS3, removing the classification of gardens as "previously developed land" (the same category as derelict factories and disused railway sidings) so that they will no longer be designated ‘Brownfield'.

The number of homes built on Brownfield land has increased from 56 percent in 1997 to 80 percent in 2008; development on land that was previously residential, including gardens, has itself increased from 11 to 23 percent in that period of time.

The move will not affect extensions to existing homes.

Clark said: "For years the wishes of local people have been ignored as the character of neighbourhoods and gardens have been destroyed, robbing communities of vital green space.

"It is ridiculous that gardens have until now been classified in the same group as derelict factories and disused railway sidings, forcing councils and communities to sit by and watch their neighbourhoods get swallowed up in a concrete jungle.

"Today I am changing the classification of garden land so councils and communities no longer have their decisions constantly overruled, but have the power to work with industry to shape future development that is appropriate for their area.

"This is just the start of wholesale reform I want to make to the planning system, so councils and communities are centre-stage in a reformed system that works for them, and is not just a tool of top-down policy."

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has given a muted reaction to the reforms. CPRE chief executive Shaun Spiers said: "One of the biggest yet unsung environmental successes of recent years has been the regeneration of many of our urban areas, which has also saved vast swathes of countryside from unnecessary development. 

"Brownfield targets and density standards have been instrumental in protecting valuable countryside, preventing urban sprawl and regenerating inner cities.

"To make these changes now could undermine the sustainable use of land and leave the English countryside under the threat of sprawling new development.

"We support powers being returned to local people and many of the new government's proposals for planning. But it is essential to have a robust national policy framework which gives a clear steer that development should be focused on Brownfield land and that this should be used efficiently.

"By stripping out this guidance Ministers risk a policy vacuum that puts our countryside at risk."

But the British Property Federation (BPF) welcomed the scrapping of density targets. Chief executive Liz Peace said: "We won't mourn the passing of density targets which, like most of the housing aspirations held by the last government, failed dismally to translate into any benefit for communities.

"What's far more important is that we have the kinds of developments that suit modern people - with quality homes that are likely to stand the test of time."