Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Planning System: Design and Beauty

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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial questions focused on the planning system and design beauty
  • Planning White Paper seeks views to put creation of beautiful places at heart of national policy
  • Bournville cited as an example of an area of beauty in the White Paper, highlighting George Cadbury's vision for the community

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gary Sambrook
Context

The question arises from a concern about the integration of aesthetic considerations into urban development plans. The MP is questioning how the government is ensuring that these aspects are prioritised.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure that design and beauty are prioritised in the planning system.

Answer from Christopher Pincher

With our planning White Paper “Planning for the future”, we are seeking views on proposals to achieve just what my hon. Friend refers to in his question. We are putting the creation of beautiful places at the heart of national planning policy, encouraging greater use of design codes based on what people want to see in their area, supporting local authorities and directing Homes England to help deliver that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for concrete steps was not addressed directly. The answer provides general principles but lacks specifics such as timelines or mechanisms.

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Q2 Gary Sambrook
Community Security Environment
Context

Bournville, an area known for its planned community initiated by George Cadbury in 1893, currently houses around 25,000 people across approximately 8,000 homes. The MP invites the Minister to visit Bournville Village Trust to observe their efforts.

Question

Under the White Paper, Bournville, an area that I am lucky enough to part-represent, was used as an example of an area of beauty. George Cadbury in 1893 had his vision of building houses for the area. Today, there are 25,000 people across 8,000 homes in Bournville. Will the Minister please accept an invite from the Bournville Village Trust to come and see the area for himself and the excellent work it is doing to maintain that beautiful community?

Answer from Christopher Pincher

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for that question and for that invitation to his constituency, being as it is just a hop, skip and a jump from my constituency of Tamworth. George Cadbury certainly had a vision for his community. I look forward to joining my hon. Friend and his friends in Bournville village to realise their modern 21st-century vision for his constituents.

Not addressed: The specific ask was not addressed directly, instead the Minister accepted an invitation without committing to any action or policy changes related to community planning efforts.

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