Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Regeneration: Towns and Cities

Monday 11 January 2021 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government announced a new urban centre recovery taskforce and planning reforms to allow flexible property use.
  • Levelling-up fund prospectus will soon be published to ensure all parts of the country can apply for funding.
  • Buckinghamshire Council has received over 172 million for the garden town project, aiming to regenerate Aylesbury.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mark Menzies Con
Economy Housing Local Government
Context

The question arises from the impact of COVID-19 on urban centres, highlighting a need for recovery strategies.

Question

What steps he is taking to enable regeneration in towns and cities. The government faces an unprecedented challenge due to covid-19 impacting towns and high streets. I ask about new urban centre recovery taskforce and wider planning reforms including property use flexibility, as well as funds like the £3.6 billion towns fund, £4 billion levelling up fund, and brownfield funding.

Answer from Robert Jenrick

We have announced a new urban centre recovery taskforce bringing local leaders and experts together for adaptation. Wider planning reforms give shop owners property use flexibility and rebuild vacant properties as homes. The £3.6 billion towns fund, the £4 billion levelling up fund, and brownfield funding will ensure investment to prosper.

Answered
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Q2 Jack Brereton Con
Economy Transport Local Government
Context

Stoke-on-Trent has not benefited from similar funds previously, raising concerns about missing out on much-needed funding.

Question

I welcome the recently announced levelling up and brownfield funds. Will my right hon Friend do everything possible to ensure that we do not miss out this time on much-needed funding for towns such as Longton and Fenton in Stoke-on-Trent?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The levelling-up fund prospectus will soon be published for all parts of the country to benefit. As a result of assiduous lobbying, further funding has been brought forward for brownfield land remediation in Stoke-on-Trent.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to ensure Stoke-on-Trent benefits from funds

How: Under Review, Prospectus Publication

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Q3 Rob Butler
Housing Local Government
Context

Aylesbury has made progress with regeneration plans despite coronavirus, focusing on Market Square and Kingsbury Square proposals.

Question

Could my right hon Friend outline how the Government will assist ambitious local authorities such as Buckinghamshire Council to make plans for regeneration in Aylesbury a reality?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

The Government has allocated over £172 million to Buckinghamshire's garden town project for 10,000 homes. Ambitious plans include turning underutilised retail into work spaces and homes, trying to attract private sector investment using planning reforms.

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Q4 Mark Menzies Con
Economy Housing Local Government
Context

St Anne's faces significant challenges due to the pandemic and needs support for regeneration. The constituency benefits from the future high streets fund.

Question

What plans does the Department have to support the regeneration of this Lancashire coastal gem, particularly St Anne's?

Answer from Robert Jenrick

Kirkham will receive over £6 million from the future high streets fund. Blackpool received £39.5 million to modernise illuminations and other projects. Over £230 million has been provided to coastal towns through the coastal communities fund, which will continue with the levelling-up and UK shared prosperity funds.

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