Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Planning Policy Reform

Monday 16 May 2022 · 7 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 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill aims to give residents more involvement in local development through strengthened neighbourhood planning and digital tools for community votes.
  • The Bill includes measures to improve build-out rates by requiring developers to provide local authorities with commencement and completion notices and annual house construction agreements.
  • Communities will have the opportunity to comment on both local plans and subsequent planning applications, including the West of Ifield development in Crawley.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Johnston
Local Government Environment
Context

Residents in David Johnston's constituency are seeking greater involvement in local developments.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to give residents greater input on local developments. Residents object not simply to the sheer number of developments but to their environmental impact and construction standards.

Answer from Stuart Andrew

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill will improve our planning system and give residents more involvement in local development. It strengthens neighbourhood planning and enables street votes with digital tools to give communities a say on developments that affect them. Clear local plans, tested against environmental outcomes, are central to improving community engagement.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific sanctions or timelines for ensuring developers follow through on commitments

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Q2 Huw Merriman Con
Housing
Context

Wealden and Rother District Councils have issued 10,000 planning permissions but only built out 1,000 homes annually.

Question

The 2020 White Paper promised once-in-a-generation reform to planning policy. The present proposals appear unambitious in contrast. Can I meet the Minister so he can explain how we can deal with the situation where 10,000 planning permissions have not been built out but 2,000 new homes must be delivered each year?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

I am happy to meet the hon. Friend. The Bill addresses build-out rates with measures requiring developers to supply local authorities with commencement notices, annual house construction agreements, and completion notices. This will help ensure that homes with permission are built.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific sanctions or consequences for non-compliance

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Q3 Henry Smith Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

Homes England proposes up to 10,000 houses on green fields near Crawley that are prone to flooding.

Question

How will these planning proposals allow the people of Crawley to say no to the West of Ifield development?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Communities must have a say on developments affecting them. The site in question is included in the Horsham draft plan produced with Crawley council, allowing residents to comment on both the plan and subsequent planning applications.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address how communities can reject flood-prone proposals directly

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Q4 David Johnston
Housing Environment
Context

Constituents are concerned about the environmental impact of home constructions.

Question

Can local communities have a say on how homes are constructed, rather than just what they look like from the outside?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Improving environmental standards and community engagement are key elements of reforms. Clear local plans tested against environmental outcomes and strong community input are central to these reforms, alongside steps through the future homes standard and the Environment Act 2021.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify how communities can influence construction standards directly

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Q5 Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East
Local Government
Context

Developers in Sheffield are not complying with planning conditions, affecting local infrastructure.

Question

What sanctions will the local authority have if developers do not follow their promises or comply with conditions?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Communities often see that promised developments are not fulfilled. The Bill aims to give power back to local communities through strengthened neighbourhood plans, ensuring they get what was promised initially.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific sanctions or consequences for non-compliance

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Q6 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Housing Local Government
Context

York is facing issues with new build properties being left vacant or used for Airbnb, affecting the housing market.

Question

How will the Minister use planning reforms to ensure building meets local needs rather than just numbers?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

The reforms empower local communities to develop plans that identify housing needs. The hon. Lady raised issues on second homes and Airbnb, and a roundtable with North Yorkshire colleagues will address these issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures or timelines for addressing Airbnb and second home issues directly

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Q7 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Housing
Context

A case in South Leamington was originally consulted on six years ago for social and truly affordable housing. Recently, the plan has been changed to include 80 units with 92 beds in the same space.

Question

On the point the Minister made about developers or planners going back on previous agreements or advice, I have a case in South Leamington where we were to have social and truly affordable housing built six years ago. As of last week, that has been changed to 80 units with 92 beds in more or less the same space. Will he meet me to discuss this matter and explain how planning changes will ensure communities get what they want, which is truly affordable housing?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Of course, I would be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss the issue he raises. The whole point of the Bill is to strengthen the development of local plans in the first place, so local planning authorities can address the housing needs they have in their area, including the types of housing they need; and to strengthen enforcement issues around planning applications. I am more than happy to speak to him further to understand the issue in greater detail.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for a meeting was acknowledged but no commitment was made on how planning changes will ensure truly affordable housing as requested.

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