A Shelter discussion paper says that a massive increase in house building need not endanger environmental sustainability with improved design. Housing versus the Environment: Can There Only be One Winner? argues that massive increases, especially in social housing, are needed but the flood, sewage, water supply and energy implications can be mitigated.

"Much will depend on the nature of housing development, how and with what it is built, its location and design, and the extent to which environmental constraints and concerns are effectively evaluated and integrated into planning strategies and housing designs," said chief executive Adam Sampson. "Above all, it will depend on changes in our attitudes and behaviour."

It calls for new technological approaches to water supply, sewage, flooding and energy, and changes in personal behaviour. But on land use it demands an end to the brownfield sequential test and more greenfield development. Despite this, however, it is silent about transport emissions and calls for "green wedges" and believes they could function as green "lungs" to absorb higher pollution levels of built-up areas.

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