← Back to Westminster Hall Debates

New Homes: Developers, Housebuilders and Management Companies

05 January 2022

Lead MP

David Johnston

Responding Minister

Eddie Hughes

Tags

EconomyHousingClimate
Word Count: 14295
Other Contributors: 9

At a Glance

David Johnston raised concerns about new homes: developers, housebuilders and management companies in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key Requests to Government:

Implement stricter quality control measures with penalties for non-compliance. Introduce 'use it or lose it' planning permissions to prevent land banking. Update environmental standards retroactively for ongoing developments. Ensure developers commit to affordable housing criteria and management companies provide transparent services without exploitative practices. Prioritise infrastructure development before new home construction.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Opened the debate
The quality of homes built in the constituency is poor, with major defects taking years to repair. The environmental impact includes loss of greenfield sites and biodiversity commitments not being met. Affordability is a significant issue, as new homes are out of reach for most renters despite developers' promises. Management companies exploit residents by charging high fees for inadequate services. Developers often fail to adhere to planning conditions and section 106 agreements, leading to insufficient infrastructure.

Government Response

Eddie Hughes
Government Response
The Minister of State thanked Members for their contributions and highlighted the Government's efforts to secure funding through section 106 agreements, community infrastructure levy, and housing infrastructure fund. He proposed a new non-negotiable infrastructure levy to replace the current system, aiming for at least as much value and on-site affordable housing. The minister noted that planning reform is under consideration with an announcement expected in due course. He assured Members of the Government's commitment to introduce legislation protecting freeholders from unfair practices by management companies. Additionally, he mentioned ongoing work regarding the Building Safety Bill and welcomed discussions about specific concerns like those raised by Harron Homes.
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy

About Westminster Hall Debates

Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.