Tough new measures to halt garden grabbing by developers in London

Tougher rules to stop "garden grabbing" for new homes in London and the South-East were unveiled by ministers today

Communities minister Greg Clark said local people had been ignored and also today scrapped the minimum density target for new housing, introduced by former deputy prime minister John Prescott. The target has been blamed for a proliferation of new flats and small homes while not meeting the demand for family-sized houses. The overhaul of housing rules applies nationwide but "garden grabbing" has been a problem in the South-East.

The proportion of new dwellings built on previously residential land soared from 14 per cent in 1997-2000 to 43 per cent in 2005-08 in Sutton, while increases were seen from 18 per cent to 39 per cent in Richmond, 12 per cent to 49 per cent in Kingston, nine to 34 per cent in Kensington and Chelsea, eight to 33 per cent in Westminster, and 10 per cent to 30 per cent in Barnet.

John Prescott said: "It's the old Tory policy spouted by millionaires."