Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Planning Reform: Fiscal Steps

Tuesday 3 September 2024 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial commitment to deliver 1.5 million new homes to achieve economic growth.
  • Government has reintroduced mandatory housing targets as part of planning policy reforms.
  • Government acknowledges the issue of hope value and will provide further details.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alice Macdonald Labour (Co-op) Norwich North
Economy Housing
Context

The MP is asking about fiscal measures the government is taking to reform the planning system, focusing on delivering new homes and economic growth.

Question

What fiscal steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to reform the planning system?

Answer from Darren Jones

We have committed ourselves to delivering 1.5 million new homes as part of our mission to achieve economic growth across the country, and we have already announced reforms of national planning policy that will help to get Britain building. They include the reintroduction of mandatory housing targets, and the removal of the effective ban on onshore wind in England.

Answered
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Q2 Alice Macdonald Labour (Co-op) Norwich North
Housing Local Government
Context

The MP is questioning the government's support for a specific brownfield site, Anglia Square, which could provide over 1,000 homes and many jobs.

Question

If unlocked, Anglia Square, a significant brownfield site in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich South (Clive Lewis), could provide more than 1,000 homes and many jobs. The last Government failed to support the progression of this important site. Can my right hon. Friend tell me what local authorities such as Norwich city council can expect from this Government's approach to delivering brownfield sites with partners?

Answer from Darren Jones

I thank my hon. Friend for her follow-up question and welcome her to her place. As she knows from the Chancellor and the Deputy Prime Minister, this Government take seriously our target to deliver 1.5 million new homes, and we will look at each and every opportunity across the country to do so. That includes making improvements to the system of developer contributions for community benefit to support the delivery of affordable housing and local infrastructure.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Improvements to the system of developer contributions without specifying concrete actions or timelines

How: Look At Each And Every Opportunity

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Q3 Andrew George Lib Dem St Ives
Housing Local Government
Context

The MP is questioning the effectiveness of the current planning system, which often benefits developers over local communities.

Question

The Minister knows that the planning system is built on the ability to make millionaires at the stroke of a pen as a result of passing planning permission, which does not necessarily result in developments that are in the best interests of a local community. Surely there is more that the Government can do to ensure that we tip the planning system towards meeting need, rather than greed.

Answer from Darren Jones

The issue of so-called hope value was referenced in the Labour party's manifesto, and the Government will set out further detail in due course.

Not addressed: Will set out further detail in due course without specifying when or what

How: Set Out Further Detail In Due Course

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