Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Housing Developers: Accountability

Monday 15 June 2026 · 5 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

  • Tom Gordon asked about delays in estate development and completion by Stonebridge Homes, citing issues in Harrogate and Knaresborough and a broader national problem.
  • The Secretary of State announced the introduction of a new homes ombudsman for faster resolution of issues faced by homebuyers and residents.
  • Rosie Wrighting raised concerns about the developer-led approach to planning and its impact on green spaces, questioning if a debate on the NPPF would be allowed.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tom Gordon Lib Dem Harrogate and Knaresborough
Housing Local Government
Context

Residents in Kingsley Farm development and The Willows are facing delays with unfinished developments. Developers like Stonebridge Homes are failing to meet planning permission agreements.

Question

Constituents living on the Kingsley Farm development have spent months chasing the developer, Stonebridge Homes, for completion of estate elements agreed in planning consent. Residents at The Willows face similar issues. This problem exists nationwide. My mother, a councillor, reports issues in Knottingley and Normanton where developers are not treating customers fairly. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to give local authorities additional powers?

Answer from Steve Reed

Following the fair funding review, councils now have adequate resources for their building control functions. Longer term, a new homes ombudsman will be introduced for faster redress in these circumstances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked about additional powers for local authorities but only mentioned current fair funding review and future ombudsman without specific measures.

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Q2 Tom Gordon Lib Dem Harrogate and Knaresborough
Housing Local Government
Context

Little Stanion residents are facing issues due to developer administration and lack of transparency from the management agency. Roads, community centre, and play equipment maintenance are neglected.

Question

First-time buyers in Little Stanion have been let down by a developer going into administration and a hostile management company lacking transparency and updates on improvements. Will the Secretary of State outline more actions for new build areas to prevent such issues?

Answer from Steve Reed

The Government are consulting on leasehold changes for greater transparency and changing regulations under the national planning policy framework. A new homes ombudsman is being introduced for faster redress.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Asked about specific measures but only mentioned ongoing consultations and future ombudsman without concrete actions for Little Stanion.

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Q3 Rosie Wrighting Lab Kettering
Housing Parliamentary Procedure Local Government
Context

The new national planning policy framework proposed by the Government is seen as centralising changes. It mandates granting permissions under presumptions in favour of sustainable development, overriding local plans.

Question

Many see the developer-led approach to planning as eroding trust in the system. The NPPF proposal overrules local plans and threatens green spaces including Wellington monument. Will the Government allow a debate on this framework given its permissive nature?

Answer from Steve Reed

The Liberal Democrats are portrayed as nimbys arguing against needed housing development. The Government will retain green belt protections while speeding up home construction.

Not addressed: Question about debate on NPPF was ignored in favour of criticising the Liberal Democrat stance.

How: Nimbys, Debate

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Q4 Gideon Amos Lib Dem Taunton and Wellington
Housing Environment
Context

The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association identified 430,000 potential mortgage prisoners due to houses at risk of flooding under new NPPF policies. The Association of British Insurers wants to discuss objections.

Question

People are concerned about protecting green spaces as nimbyism but they aim to protect crucial nature. If debate on NPPF for green spaces is denied, will the Government meet ABI regarding mortgage prisoners from flooding risks?

Answer from Steve Reed

The speaker was not calling green belt protectors nimbys but Liberal Democrats. Green belt protections are retained; speeding up housing is prioritised over Liberal Democrat restrictions.

Not addressed: Question about meeting ABI ignored in favour of political critique.

How: Nimbys, Debate

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Q5 Gideon Amos Lib Dem Taunton and Wellington
Housing
Context

Residents of Kingsley Farm development are facing delays with unfinished developments due to the developer, Stonebridge Homes. Similar issues exist nationwide.

Question

Constituents in Kingsley Farm and The Willows have been unable to get developers like Stonebridge Homes to complete agreed elements on time. Residents face similar challenges across the country. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to give local authorities more powers?

Answer from Steve Reed

Councils have additional funding for building control functions following a fair funding review. Longer term, a new homes ombudsman is planned for faster redress.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Asked about measures but only mentioned current funding and future ombudsman without specifics.

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