Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how many hectares of land falls within the proposed outer freeport boundaries in England; and how much of that land falls within the boundaries of (a) a National Park, (b) an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and (c) a National Site Network and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
By delivering investment on specific priority sites, Freeports will create thousands of high-quality jobs in some of our most deprived communities. These sites have been carefully selected for their suitability for development by the local Freeport coalition, which comprises key private partners and local authorities who, importantly, provide democratic accountability for the actions of the Freeport.
The department does not hold information on how many hectares of land falls within the proposed outer freeport boundaries in England; and how much of that land also falls within the boundaries of (a) a National Park, (b) an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or (c) a National Site Network and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The development sites sit within an 'outer boundary' which sets the limit for how far apart they can be and broadly indicates the area they expect to benefit most directly from the Freeport's economic impacts. This in no way means that the area has been earmarked for development nor does this confer any special planning status and local authorities within it retain all their statutory powers and responsibilities, including responsibility for providing planning permission. Freeport status in no way undercuts the local planning process and there is no change to the current planning and environment status of national parks.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether there will be a relaxation of planning protections in designated landscapes where parts of those areas fall within proposed freeport outer boundaries.
Answered by Dehenna Davison
By delivering investment on specific priority sites, Freeports will create thousands of high-quality jobs in some of our most deprived communities. These sites have been carefully selected for their suitability for development by the local Freeport coalition, which comprises key private partners and local authorities who, importantly, provide democratic accountability for the actions of the Freeport.
The department does not hold information on how many hectares of land falls within the proposed outer freeport boundaries in England; and how much of that land also falls within the boundaries of (a) a National Park, (b) an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or (c) a National Site Network and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The development sites sit within an 'outer boundary' which sets the limit for how far apart they can be and broadly indicates the area they expect to benefit most directly from the Freeport's economic impacts. This in no way means that the area has been earmarked for development nor does this confer any special planning status and local authorities within it retain all their statutory powers and responsibilities, including responsibility for providing planning permission. Freeport status in no way undercuts the local planning process and there is no change to the current planning and environment status of national parks.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the Government's announcement of 9 June 2022, what his planned timetable is for extending the right to buy to housing association tenants.
Answered by Marcus Jones
This Government is committed to the Right to Buy, which has helped nearly two million social housing tenants to realise their dream of home ownership. The Prime Minister announced on 9 June 2022 the intention to extend the Right to Buy to housing association tenants.
We want the scheme to work effectively for tenants and housing associations and will be working with housing associations on the scheme design. We will announce more details in due course, including on the planned timetable.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he intends to publish a relief scheme for the 2023 revaluation of business rates; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
The Government is required by legislation to introduce a transitional arrangements scheme at each revaluation to help business to adjust to their new bills. The next revaluation will have effect from 1 April 2023 and regulations to implement the transitional arrangements will be in place by 31 December 2022.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2022 to Question 141196, on Homes for Ukraine Scheme: Vetting, what safeguarding checks will be undertaken on people providing accommodation under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
Further to the oral statement by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up on 14 March, guidance for local authorities has been published on Gov.uk at www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-guidance-for-councils . There are also published FAQs available online at www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-frequently-asked-questions as well as information for sponsors at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-sponsor-guidance . Information is available on safeguarding checks at these links, as well as on eligibility for the scheme. Phase One of the Homes for Ukraine scheme opened for applications on 18 March and is accessible via links from homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk . Those who had recorded their interest in the scheme were also contacted on that date. Details on future phases of the scheme will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what safeguarding mechanisms his Department has put in place for the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
The Home Office will conduct checks as part of the visa issue process.
Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when his Department plans to launch the First Homes Scheme in the Tees Valley.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Homes England are currently awarding contracts for our First Homes pilot, which should see a small number of First Homes delivered in the Tees Valley area by the end of March 2023.
In addition, since 28 June 2021, national planning policy sets an expectation that new local plans should ensure 25% of all affordable homes delivered through developer contributions should be First Homes.