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Rogue Development (Enforcement) Bill - Clause 1
19 November 2021
Lead MP
Ben Spencer
Debate Type
Bill Debate
Tags
HousingClimate
Other Contributors: 25
At a Glance
Ben Spencer raised concerns about rogue development (enforcement) bill - clause 1 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Moves an amendment to introduce strong measures against rogue development in the green belt. Emphasises the importance of protecting natural environments, biodiversity, community identity, health and wellbeing. Argues that rogue developers exploit legal loopholes, causing environmental damage and harming local communities.
Gagan Mohindra
Con
South West Hertfordshire
Supports the Bill's aim to protect green-belt land, highlighting its recreational and environmental benefits. Emphasises that green belt serves as a flood defence and contributes significantly to biodiversity and climate goals.
Nigel Evans
Con
Cheriton
Intervenes in support of Dr Spencer, stressing that rogue development undermines residents' efforts to improve their communities through neighbourhood plans. Emphasises the importance of ensuring developers are accountable.
Anthony Mangnall
Con
Bury North
Intervenes, supporting Dr Spencer's Bill and highlighting the impact rogue development has on local residents. Emphasises that rogue development undermines faith in planning processes.
South Dorset
Intervenes, asking about the consequences of rogue development on greenfield sites that could otherwise be developed as brownfield sites in the future.
Christchurch
Intervenes, questioning why Dr Spencer's Bill is drafted with provisions where the Secretary of State 'may' make regulations rather than demanding it.
James Sunderland
Con
Sunderland Central
Intervenes, supporting Dr Spencer's Bill by providing examples of rogue development in his area and emphasising the need to give councils powers to deal with such issues.
Nigel Evans
Con
South West Hertfordshire
Supports the Green Belt Protection Bill and raises concerns about Liberal Democrats' absence in the debate. Suggests a rating for their interest in the issue on a scale from one to 10, with a low score implied.
Christchurch
Inquires about the Government's previous objection to the Green Belt Protection Bill and expresses hope for support during today’s debate.
Emphasises that the bill pertains not just to green belts but also to other green spaces, indicating a broader scope of concern.
Welcomes the Bill and criticises Liberal Democrats for their lack of presence during an important debate about housing and green belt protection.
Saqib Bhatti
Con
Meriden and Solihull East
Asks Nigel Evans to rate Liberal Democrats' interest in the issue on a scale from one to 10, implying they are not seriously engaged.
Supports the Bill and suggests repurposing buildings in town centres for housing as a solution to address housing shortages without compromising green spaces.
Pays tribute to local organisations like the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and emphasises their value in contributing to discussions on green belt protection issues.
Selaine Saxby
Con
North Devon
Highlights the challenges faced by small district councils with planning enforcement applications and agrees that simplifying the system is necessary. Supports a national register of persons who have committed planning offences or breached controls to assist smaller authorities. Suggests addressing issues such as second homes and Airbnb rentals through planning reforms.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Congratulates the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge on his Bill but expresses concerns about its effectiveness in addressing planning enforcement issues. Highlights examples of egregious abuses such as HMOs, Airbnb, noise pollution, and environmental damage. Raises concerns over the creation of a single England-wide database, questioning its funding source and necessity. Criticises clauses requiring declarations from applicants with prior enforcement action against them for potential circumvention and unfairness. Considers existing tools sufficient but calls for a review of extreme cases to determine if planning law needs amendment.
Saqib Bhatti
Con
Meriden and Solihull East
Supports the Bill as it addresses planning frustrations and enforces better practice. Mentions local council’s commitment to protect green spaces and deal with pressures from HS2 interchange, motorway service stations, and other developments. Emphasises the importance of effective enforcement and trust in the system for residents' faith in democracy.
Claire Coutinho
Con
East Surrey
Supports planning controls to protect heritage and improve infrastructure. Emphasises the importance of green belt land, biodiversity, and clean air in East Surrey. Argues for better enforcement against rogue developers who encumber local infrastructure and damage community trust. Highlights the need for measures that ensure development is fit for purpose and addresses concerns about affordable homes while maintaining confidence in planning systems.
Julie Marson
Con
Shirebrook and Clay Cross
Committed to her hon. Friend's Bill, highlighting the importance of integrity in the planning system to maintain public trust. Argued for a pragmatic approach with a database to identify rule-breakers and commercial realities to ensure effective penalties. Supported measures enabling High Court injunctions to restrict rogue developers' activities and urged review by the Secretary of State to adapt future regulations based on evolving needs.
[INTERVENTION] Emphasised the need for penalties to be proportionate to the distress caused by rogue developments, referencing a specific case in Deganwy where sewage outfall into the Conwy estuary has impacted residents.
[INTERVENTION] Welcomed the help to build scheme that aims to encourage smaller, family-friendly housing stock from SME builders.
James Sunderland
Con
Bracknell
Supports the Bill, emphasising its importance in protecting countryside and ensuring accountability for those who flout planning rules. Highlights Bracknell Forest Council's expenses dealing with breaches and proposes that fees should cover costs of appeals rather than taxpayers bearing them. Argues against building on green belt or open spaces despite supporting increased affordable housing measures. Advocates for incentivising development on brownfield sites and respecting existing local plans.
Anthony Mangnall
Con
South Hams
Agrees with Dr Spencer, noting high levels of planning breaches in his constituency. Argues for holding developers accountable and ensuring that fines hit where it hurts to prevent future breaches. Emphasises importance of addressing loopholes in planning applications and tightening language to avoid exploitation by developers. Supports balanced approach to ensure affordable housing but stresses need for stricter regulations.
James Daly
Con
Bury North
Supports the Bill, highlighting concerns about subcontracting development policy to unknown developers without details on how green belt areas will be affected. Emphasises the need for local democratic accountability in planning and the protection of valuable green belts.
Neil O'Brien
Con
Harborough
Supports the objectives of the Bill, acknowledging issues with the current system. Explains that while the Government sympathizes with the proposals, they prefer to develop reforms as part of a wider package. Emphasises the need for better enforcement and modernisation of planning systems.
James Sunderland
Con
Bracknell
In an intervention, agrees with James Daly’s concerns about preserving green belts across England, suggesting development should focus on brownfield sites and be aligned with local priorities.
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