Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between George Freeman and Lord Pickles

Monday 17th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Pickles]

I think the hon. Lady—I hope not deliberately—misunderstands what we are trying to do on 106. It can be a great help in delivering housing, and in some parts of the country that is exactly what it does, but in other parts it is actually a hindrance to delivering social housing, because unrealistic targets mean that if there is a 50% target, 50% of nothing remains nothing. That is why we have been so successful in dealing with progressive local authorities to renegotiate deals and deliver social housing.

[George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con)]

Is the Secretary of State aware of the role of Highways Agency holding objections in holding up growth? The beautiful market town of Wyndham in my constituency is threatened with a wave of inappropriate applications because just up the road the Highways Agency has sat for more than a year on a holding objection for 1,200 homes in Hethersett. Will my right hon. Friend agree to look into that for me?

[Mr Pickles]

Yes.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between George Freeman and Lord Pickles

Monday 2nd July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Pickles]

Gravesham has joined the small, select list of council tax dodgers. If it was felt that the council tax should go up, it would have been sensible to put it to the people of Gravesham, who no doubt would have given it their consideration.

[George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con)]

17. What steps his Department is taking to promote small wind turbines within the planning framework.