Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

New Homes: Sustainability

Monday 7 April 2025 · 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 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Cameron Thomas observed sustainable urban planning practices in the Netherlands during a visit with the Environmental Audit Committee.
  • Michelle Welsh highlighted energy-efficient homes in the Howgate Close development in her constituency, praising their cost-effectiveness.
  • Helena Dollimore raised concerns about delays faced by the Building Safety Regulator in handling applications, impacting building projects.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Cameron Thomas Ind Tewkesbury
Housing Environment
Context

The MP noted his visit to the Netherlands, highlighting sustainable urban planning and design practices in Rotterdam. He mentioned a Tewkesbury garden town project that will bring 4,000 new homes to his constituency.

Question

While visiting the Netherlands with the Environmental Audit Committee, I saw the benefits of long-term, joined-up, strategic planning. In Rotterdam city centre, rooftop gardens provide mental health benefits and allotment space, while at ground level, sunken community spaces and underground car parks mitigate flooding. The Tewkesbury garden town will bring 4,000 new homes to my constituency. Will the Minister meet me and stakeholders who support the garden town, so that we can set the standard for development across the country?

Answer from The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)

The approach of the Netherlands, not least to spatial planning and design standards, has much to commend it, but we would need a stand-alone debate to do that subject justice. As for the Tewkesbury garden communities, they are precisely the kind of sustainable and infrastructure-led development that the Government want to see more of, and that we are backing through legislation and policy. I would be more than happy to meet the hon. Member and local stakeholders to discuss what more might be done to deliver on the aspirations set out in the Tewkesbury garden communities charter, which was published last year.

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Q2 Michelle Welsh Lab Sherwood Forest
Housing Energy
Context

The MP visited the Howgate Close housing development in Eakring, which includes nine high thermal mass buildings that are the most energy-efficient homes in the country. She highlighted their affordability for vulnerable residents.

Question

Last week, I visited Howgate Close housing development in Eakring in my constituency, and I am proud to say that the homes are the most energy-efficient in the country. It would be easy to assume that houses such as those cost a fortune, but what is remarkable about that development is that they are affordable, including for some of the most vulnerable in our society. Does the Minister agree that it is vital that energy-efficient homes are affordable and accessible to everyone, and will he come with me to visit Eakring to see that incredible development?

Answer from The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)

It may not surprise hon. Members to hear that I am indeed aware of the nine high thermal mass buildings that have been constructed for rent at Howgate Close, and I commend the site owner, Dr Parsons, for championing such high-quality, sustainable development on his land. We need to ensure that all new homes are future-proof, with low-carbon heating and very high-quality building fabric, including those made available for local people at affordable rents. I will ensure that my hon. Friend’s request for a Minister to visit Howgate Close is given due consideration.

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Q3 Helena Dollimore Labour (Co-op) Hastings and Rye
Housing Environment
Context

The MP met representatives of a leading fire safety business in her constituency who reported unacceptably long delays from the Building Safety Regulator.

Question

As we build new homes, it is important that we make sure that existing homes are as safe as they can be. I recently met representatives of a leading fire safety business in my constituency, who told me of the unacceptably long delays that it faces from the Building Safety Regulator. Will the Minister meet me and my local business to discuss those delays, and how we can tackle them?

Answer from The Minister for Housing and Planning (Matthew Pennycook)

My hon. Friend raises an important issue. The newly established Building Safety Regulator is crucial to upholding building safety standards, but I acknowledge that its operation is causing delays in handling applications for some building projects. She will be aware that in February, the Government allocated £2 million to the BSR to accelerate the processing of applications. We are working closely with the regulator to support the plan for improved delivery, and we will continue to keep its performance under review.

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