Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 29 January (HL12331), whether they have set out the environmental effects of developing an Inland Border Facility at Dover; and whether they have sought separate approvals for (1) a Construction Management Plan, (2) an Operational Management Plan, and (3) a Reinstatement Plan.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
My Department has not received any submission seeking the Secretary of State’s approval to the development and use of a specific site in Dover as an Inland Border Facility.
For my Department to consider any such request the Special Development Order approved by Parliament requires an evidenced proposal for consideration. This must include an analysis of the likely environmental effects of the development.
No plans for the construction, operation or reinstatement of an Inland Border Facility in Dover are with my Department.
As my Ministerial colleague will be taking decisions on any site-specific proposals it is not appropriate for me to comment on sites that are or may be the subject of a proposal; we will take decisions without pre-determination and on the basis of the evidence and advice in front of us.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, what planning permissions have been sought and given for the White Cliffs inland border facility near Dover; what other permissions are (1) needed, (2) have been sought, and (3) have been given; what works have started without any planning permission; what consultation with local residents has taken place; what compensation will be payable to local residents; how long the facility is planned to remain in place; and what assurances they have given about reinstatement of the site at the end of its period of operation.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
My department has not received any planning application for the use and development of land at White Cliffs, Dover as an Inland Border Facility.
I understand that the Department of Transport has stated that it intends to seek approval under the Town and Country Planning (Border Facilities and Infrastructure) (EU Exit) (England) Special Development Order 2020, for a facility in Dover.
My department has not received any submission seeking the Secretary of State’s approval to the development and use a specific site in Dover. As my Ministerial colleague will be taking decisions on any site-specific proposals it is not appropriate for me to comment on sites that are or may be the subject of a proposal; we will take decisions without pre-determination and on the basis of the evidence and advice in front of us.
I also understand that the Government’s border facing departments have provided a website with information on their plans for delivering inland border facilities, with details of individual proposals and how to comment. The website can be found at: https://inlandborderfacilities.uk/.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, (1) what steps they are taking, and (2) what discussions have taken place between Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Transport, to ensure that the Planning for the Future White paper aligns with the Transport Decarbonisation Plan; and what consideration they have given to ensuring that plans for new residential developments minimise car dependence.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government believes in the importance of decarbonisation. That is why the National Planning Policy Framework already promotes sustainable transport and makes clear that priority should be given to pedestrian and cycle movements and to facilitating access to high quality public transport. Alongside this, the Planning for the Future White Paper also made clear that our planning reforms will seek to reduce our reliance on carbon-intensive modes of transport and it acknowledges the need for the wider reform to be set within our drive towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Following extensive engagement the consultation closed on 29 October. We are considering the consultation responses received and will publish a response in due course.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 24 July (HL17129), whether they will now answer the question put, in particular in respect of the Duchy of Cornwall.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Government has previously responded that the Law Commission is currently reviewing the leasehold enfranchisement process, and will consider its recommendations when they report back in the next few months.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to respond to the Law Commission's consultation and report on leasehold enfranchisement reform; and what assessment they have made of the case for removing exemptions under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 in respect of the Duchy of Cornwall.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
The Government has asked the Law Commission to review the enfranchisement process to make it simpler, easier, quicker and more cost effective, to help existing and future leaseholders.
Their consultation, Leasehold home ownership: buying your freehold or extending your lease closed on 7 January 2019, and they are now analysing the many and detailed responses received.
We will consider their recommendations when they report, and look to assess their proposals and respond in due course.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 10 April (HL14931), why the Duchy of Cornwall was not approached as a property developer to sign the Public Pledge for Leaseholders.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
The initial stage of the Government backed industry pledge was targeted at the main volume builders and freeholders operating in England, in particular those that have developed and marketed leasehold houses.
The Duchy of Cornwall does not fall into that category, and consequently was not approached in the initial stage. Officials from my Department will be meeting with representatives from the Duchy shortly, and will raise the matter.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Duchy of Cornwall as a property developer in connection with their Public Pledge for Leaseholders, published on 28 March; whether the Duchy of Cornwall is a signatory to that pledge; and if not, what assessment they have made of the reasons why not.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
The Government wants to make sure that all leaseholders whose leases contain onerous terms, such as doubling ground rents, get the support they need.
The new government-backed industry pledge announced on 28 March has been signed by more than forty leading property developers and freeholders.
This is a positive start and the Government encourages developers and freeholders to sign the pledge and any organisation not currently signed up can do so by contacting the Ministry. The Duchy of Cornwall has not specifically been approached.
In addition, the Law Commission has recently consulted on proposals to help leaseholders to extend their leases or buy their freehold, seeking to understand the experience for leaseholders on Crown land, including the Duchy of Cornwall. The Law Commission will report later in the year.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether operational government land can be disposed of on a freehold basis.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what sources of government funding are available to authorities which have mayors but not available to other authorities in England; and what are the reasons for any difference.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
Mayoral Combined Authorities have been created following ‘Devolution Deal’ negotiations. These new local authorities have been awarded a new investment fund grant. The value of investment fund grants differs in each Mayoral Combined Authority, owing to the process of negotiation. Whilst most investment funds have been awarded in a deal with a mayor, they have also been agreed in other ‘deals’, including ‘City Deals’ and ‘Growth Deals’.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government in which applications under section 100 of the Planning Act 2008 an Examining Authority has appointed a person to act as assessor.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
There has been only one application for development consent where an assessor has been appointed by under section 100 of the Planning Act 2008. This was for the Preesall Saltfield Underground Gas Storage project.