It is three years since Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott launched the revised PPG3 in an attempt to tackle the questions of design, density and car parking for new homes, particularly those in the south east. The guidance has had a dramatic effect on the housebuilding industry and provokes strong opinions about its effectiveness and success. Just this month Design for Homes chief executive David Birkbeck, while showcasing some fabulous examples of PPG3-friendly schemes, described the guidance as a straightforward attempt to abolish the detached house. John Stewart, on pages 12-13 of this issue, says that PPG3 is “one of the major causes of the housing crisis” and the “Nimbys’ last stand”.<p></p><p>For my part it seems the industry has been revolutionised by the guidance. Housebuilder is sent an increasing number of examples of high density thoughtfully-designed schemes with dramatic and variable streetscapes which are a welcome antidote to the traditional developments of the 80s and 90s. But we also understand the problems of car parking, gardens and the aspirations of customers to live in lower density developments of detached homes.</p><p>On page 25 Malcolm Pitcher crystallises this argument beautifully and notes that no-one has yet really found out what home buyers …