Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Regeneration of Brownfield Sites

Tuesday 21 March 2023 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government strongly encourage the effective utilisation of brownfield land for various uses, including industrial, commercial, and residential.
  • The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has received 150 million from the Government for local brownfield remediation, with 27 million provided just last year.
  • The Government have worked closely with local authorities to ensure the right package of measures and legislative changes to enable desired developments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden
Economy Transport Local Government
Context

The questioner notes Bolton's economic challenges, including a lack of levelling-up funding and derelict industrial sites. The area is seeking to convert these sites into mixed-use properties for housing and business development.

Question

If he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential economic impact of creating a regeneration fund to support the conversion of brownfield former industrial sites into mixed-use properties?

Answer from John Glen

The Government strongly encourage the effective utilisation of brownfield land, whether it was industrial, commercial or residential in its former use. We invest heavily in brownfield remediation programmes, including £1.8 billion at spending review 2021, as well as the levelling-up fund. National planning policy also sets out what planning policies and decisions should give substantial weight to the value of using suitable brownfield land.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address the specific assessment request for Bolton's economic impact from a regeneration fund.

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Q2 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden
Housing Transport Local Government
Context

The questioner highlights Bolton's economic challenges, including derelict mill sites in the town centre. She suggests retrofitting these sites for affordable housing, retail units, and community spaces.

Question

Bolton town centre is in a parlous state... We could retrofit them to create affordable social housing... With that in mind, what discussion has the Treasury had with Bolton Council and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities about the merits of such a scheme for the borough?

Answer from John Glen

I agree with the hon. Lady that Bolton has great opportunities... The Government have given the Greater Manchester Combined Authority £150 million—£27 million just last year—to deliver local brownfield remediation...

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific details about discussions with Bolton Council and the Department for Levelling Up.

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Q3 Wendy Morton Con Aldridge-Brownhills
Economy Housing Employment
Context

The questioner refers to the launch of a new devolution deal for the west midlands with £100 million in brownfield funding. She emphasises the importance of this for delivering homes and jobs while protecting greenbelt land.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that this issue is key to delivering homes and jobs... Does he consider that in any impact assessment study?

Answer from John Glen

My right hon. Friend makes a very sensible point... We have worked closely with local authorities to ensure that we get the right package of measures and legislative changes to enable the development she and her constituents aspire to.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specifics on impact assessment studies or confirm if such considerations are included in them.

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