Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Housing Developments: Access to Infrastructure

Monday 23 February 2026 · 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Green asked about ensuring necessary infrastructure for new housing developments, highlighting concerns over cumulative impacts on local facilities like sewerage and GP provision.
  • The Minister emphasized the importance of up-to-date local plans and infrastructure funding statements for timely provision of infrastructure.
  • Alex Mayer inquired about speeding up the adoption of local roads by councils to ensure communities receive essential services more quickly.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
Housing
Context

The MP is concerned about the adequacy of infrastructure such as sewerage systems and GP provision in new housing developments, which can cumulatively impact local services.

Question

I am concerned that new housing developments do not have adequate access to infrastructure. I want to know what work the Department is doing to ensure necessary infrastructure is in place, especially given the cumulative effect of smaller developments on local facilities like sewerage systems and GP provision. We lack a local plan in Buckinghamshire, and communities struggle with agency engagement.

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

Having up-to-date local plans and infrastructure funding statements is crucial for ensuring timely infrastructure provision. The Minister expresses willingness to meet the hon. Lady to address her concerns about speeding up development and improving agency engagement in her constituency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or commitments regarding speeding up Central Bedfordshire council's adoption of local roads were not provided.

How: Having Up-To-Date Local Plans Is Crucial

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Q2 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
NHS Housing Environment
Context

The MP continues to question the adequacy of infrastructure in new housing developments, emphasizing that smaller developments can also significantly impact local services such as GP provision and sewerage systems.

Question

I want to know what specific work is underway to ensure necessary infrastructure is provided for new housing developments. The cumulative effect on sewerage systems and GP provision from many small developments should be addressed similarly to large projects. Given the lack of a local plan in Buckinghamshire, communities struggle with agency engagement.

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

Having up-to-date local plans and infrastructure funding statements is crucial for ensuring timely infrastructure provision. The Minister expresses willingness to meet the hon. Lady to address her concerns about speeding up development and improving agency engagement in her constituency.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps or commitments regarding speeding up Central Bedfordshire council's adoption of local roads were not provided.

How: Having Up-To-Date Local Plans Is Crucial

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Q3 Alex Mayer Lab Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
Transport Local Government
Context

The MP highlights the delays in adopting local roads, which deprives communities of essential services such as road gritting and postal provision.

Question

Communities miss out on essential services until local roads are adopted. How can we speed up Central Bedfordshire council and others to adopt local roads more quickly?

Answer from Matthew Pennycook

It is probably easier if my hon. Friend writes to me on those particular concerns in her area, and I will set out the Government's full position. The Minister expresses willingness to discuss these matters further.

Not addressed: No specific plan or action was proposed for expediting road adoption by Central Bedfordshire council.

How: Writing A Letter Instead Of Addressing Directly

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