Context
The MP is concerned about the progress on leasehold abuse reforms and seeks action.
Question
Mr Speaker, if you and the Minister came to Worthing station and walked from there to my flat, you would walk past a site where Homes England could help Worthing Borough Council produce extra social housing. Six times a year, Ministers have talked of progress on ending leasehold abuse for ten years but not actioned it. This time, can we have action, and could Ministers also look at whether statutory instrument 2020/632 takes into account the disbenefits to leaseholders of people putting extra storeys on leasehold blocks?
Answer from Luke Hall (Minister for Housing)
I know that my hon Friend has raised issues about this particular statutory instrument. We believe we need to encourage the densification of our towns and cities to allow for additional homes. In the last four years, 60,000 additional homes have been delivered through permitted development rights for change of use. This new permitted development right could deliver an extra 800 homes a year for families across our cities and help protect the countryside too. Of course, permitted development rights remain subject to prior approval by the local planning authority on a number of matters, including the amenity of neighbours and occupiers of the block.
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