Planning minister Greg Clark is understood to have made few concessions to green lobby groups who fear the new policy will launch a building free-for-all.
It is hoped the new National Planning Policy Framework will stimulate housing, striking a balance between economic growth, a presumption in favour of sustainable development and existing environmental protection.
The new NPPF, unveiled today at 12.30, will replace a bewildering 1,300 pages of guidelines with a single 50-page document.
Post consultation concessions include a provision to insist local councils prioritise building on brownfield land to protect edge of town green spaces.
The document is also expected to include a town centre first provision to help local shopping centres stave of the threat from out-of-town retail parks.