Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Agricultural Land: Development

Monday 5 October 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Roger Gale raised concerns about the loss of high-quality agricultural land due to housing developments in his constituency.
  • The Secretary of State highlighted the 400 million brownfield fund aimed at delivering 26,000 homes and prioritising brownfield redevelopment over greenfield sites.
  • Local authorities are instructed to avoid using best agricultural land for housing developments wherever possible.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Housing Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the conversion of high-quality agricultural land into housing developments, citing environmental and economic impacts on rural areas.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure that high-quality agricultural land is not used for housing developments. The Member notes concerns over the loss of valuable farmland in his constituency due to recent planning decisions.

Answer from Christopher Pincher

The Secretary of State highlights the £400 million brownfield fund delivering 26,000 homes and notes the national planning policy framework prioritises brownfield redevelopment for housing. Local authorities are instructed to avoid using best farmland wherever possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not address the specific ask regarding commitments for rural areas or assurance on already granted consents being used before greenfield sites.

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Q2 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Housing Local Government
Context

The MP criticises the planning White Paper, expressing concern that it prioritises housing for non-local residents over those in rural areas. He seeks assurances on extending brownfield funding to rural areas.

Question

My right hon. Friend knows that I have a high regard for him personally, but I am afraid that that does not extend to a planning White Paper that seems designed to smother the south-east of England and the garden of England in houses not for local people but for people from elsewhere. Will the brownfield fund be extended across the board to rural areas? Also, could my right hon. Friend give us an assurance that all of the 1 million consents already granted will be used before a single further blade of greenfield site in agricultural land is also used?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

The Secretary acknowledges concerns but confirms the £400 million brownfield regeneration fund was targeted at mayoral combined authorities while £5 billion home building fund supports new housing, including brownfield projects. Over 300 projects across England will receive shares from the getting Britain building fund to support his constituency. Permitted development rights voted for recently allow reimagining of town centres and demolishing disused commercial buildings to reduce pressure on green spaces.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response does not provide assurances regarding existing consents or extension of brownfield funding specifically to rural areas.

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