House of Commons · Westminster Hall
22 July 2025 · 2 other contributors · 2,735 words
Opened by Leigh Ingham Lab Stafford
Responding minister: Matthew Pennycook
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Leigh Ingham raised concerns about housing provision in stafford in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The MP asks for faster and more flexible processes for approving local plans, infrastructure to come first, councils to assess housing proposals in the round, and strong protections for agricultural land.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The borough of Stafford is without an adopted local plan. The sewage treatment works in Eccleshall flooded 67 times in 2023 and has flooded 26 times so far in 2025, affecting residents. There are speculative development proposals for over 1,500 homes in Eccleshall, potentially a 50% population increase for the town of 6,500 people.
Reciprocated all round, I think.
Commends the hon. Lady for securing this debate and asks if she agrees that housing must be provided for families, single people and elderly people.
Government Response
Matthew PennycookThe Minister for Housing and Planning
Congratulates my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford on securing this debate, noting her forceful and passionate speech on behalf of her constituents regarding housing provision in Eccleshall. The government aims to introduce a new faster and clearer process for preparing plans with an expectation that local plans are routinely prepared and adopted in 30 months. They also intend to commence a package of plan-making reforms through provisions in the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 later this year. The minister highlighted the importance of addressing speculative development, ensuring necessary site-specific infrastructure at appropriate trigger points, and considering other proposed developments as material considerations in individual planning applications. Additionally, local development plans should address needs and opportunities in relation to infrastructure, identify required infrastructure, and demonstrate its delivery through an infrastructure funding statement.