Urban Housing Densification 2026-09-07
2026-09-07
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the Department's strategies for prioritising housing densification in urban areas, specifically mentioning the need for increased housing within settlements.
What steps she is taking to ensure that her Department has effective strategies for prioritising housing densification in urban areas?
The new national planning policy framework, published on 17 August, includes a number of new policies designed to increase densification inside settlements, including by encouraging the upward expansion of existing homes and the creation of new dwellings in existing plots.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about an 85% increase in the housing target in Bromsgrove, a constituency that is 90% green belt, and challenges the Secretary of State to prioritise urban densification.
I just heard the Secretary of State say that there should be a brownfield-first approach, but what is going on in Bromsgrove, and in many other constituencies, is contradictory: an 85% increase in the housing target in a constituency that is 90% green belt. I challenge the Secretary of State to think again and prioritise urban densification, which is fundamental to the redevelopment of towns, cities and urban centres that are in desperate need of renewal. Why does she not just admit that she has got this wrong and change tack?
We have not got it wrong: the new NPPF does prioritise urban development and densification. As I have made clear to the hon. Gentleman a number of times, local authorities can justify a lower housing requirement than the figure set by the standard method on the basis of local constraints, such as land availability. It is for local planning authorities themselves to determine whether there are exceptional circumstances that justify the release of green belt, and we fully expect them to first demonstrate that they have fully examined all other reasonable options for meeting identified need for development, including making as much use as possible of suitable brownfield sites and underutilised land.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP's challenge to reconsider the approach and prioritise urban densification was not directly addressed.
We Have Not Got It Wrong
Local Authorities Can Justify A Lower Housing Requirement
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the regeneration of gate streets in Gloucester city centre and proposes converting the empty upper floors of shops into good-quality housing.
The gate streets in Gloucester city centre are in urgent need of regeneration. Does the Minister agree that one way to breathe more life into our city centre is to convert the empty upper floors of shops into good-quality housing? What steps are the Government taking to unlock those opportunities?
The Government are undertaking a number of pieces of work to look at what more we can do to revitalise our high streets. The Secretary of State and I are looking specifically at what more we can do to arm local authorities with the powers they need to bring empty homes back into use.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister's agreement with converting empty upper floors of shops into good-quality housing was not directly addressed.
We Are Looking At What More We Can Do
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the number of London boroughs that have seen a net zero new housing starts under the Mayor of London and the challenge of getting units with permission built.
Planning permissions for new homes, of which there are already around 1.5 million, are one thing, but getting those units built is another. With Savills reporting that two thirds of London boroughs have seen net zero new housing starts under the Mayor of London, what proposals do the Government have to ensure that units with permission actually get built, rather than concreting over our green belt?
The shadow Minister is absolutely right that house builders across the country face challenges with viability, not least owing to the implications of the ongoing conflict in the middle east. London has a number of challenges particular to itself that the rest of the country does not face; that is precisely why we brought forward an emergency package with the Mayor of London, specifically to get those stalled sites in the capital moving.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific proposals to ensure units with permission get built were not directly addressed.
We Brought Forward An Emergency Package With The Mayor Of London
Response accuracy