Planning and Housing Supply
Debate between Lord Brady of Altrincham and Martin Horwood(11 years, 1 month ago)
Westminster HallRead Full debate Read Hansard Text
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Martin Horwood
My constituents in places such as Leckhampton and Hatherley do not understand this: the econometric model is based not so much on need as on demand, which in areas such as mine—and St Albans and many other constituencies—is practically insatiable, so we will still have high house prices that are unaffordable for many first-time buyers in places such as Cheltenham, because we have good schools and shops, as well as a good local environment and good employment levels. If such areas are simply consigned to endless development, we will lose something very precious to local people and to the environment.
The problem with the Minister’s scenario is that the issue is not about trying to stop all development—nobody has said that—but about wanting local people to be able to make some difference and have some say. The economic model for the assessed housing need or demand—
Mr Graham Brady (in the Chair)
Order. I remind the hon. Gentleman that interventions should be short.
Martin Horwood
Sorry, Mr Brady. The model or whatever dictates that number should not be a be-all and end-all that nobody can influence.
European Union Bill
Debate between Lord Brady of Altrincham and Martin Horwood(13 years, 10 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Martin Horwood
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Iceland has just unilaterally increased its mackerel quotas, which if anything—I would not use the word “stealing”—is potentially damaging to Scottish fish stocks? That is quite a major diplomatic issue at the moment and it has occurred under precisely the regime that he is recommending.
The Temporary Chairman (Mr Graham Brady)
Order. May I suggest that we are ranging a little wide? Ranging as far as discussing Iceland might be out of order.