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Housing Provision in Stafford

22 July 2025

Lead MP

Leigh Ingham
Stafford
Lab

Responding Minister

Matthew Pennycook

Tags

Employment
Word Count: 2735
Other Contributors: 2

At a Glance

Leigh Ingham raised concerns about housing provision in stafford in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

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.

How the Debate Unfolded

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

Lead Contributor

Stafford
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.

Government Response

Matthew Pennycook
The Minister for Housing and Planning
Government Response
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.
Assessment & feedback
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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.