Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Greg Clark and Alec Shelbrooke

Monday 9th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con)]

With regard to fire provision in west Yorkshire, in my constituency and in west Yorkshire at Wetherby it would make sense for the police station and fire service to go to a joint services site. What can my right hon. Friend do to encourage authorities to take joint sites?

[Greg Clark]

As my hon. Friend knows, a consultation is out at the moment looking at ways in which the blue-light services can co-ordinate with each other so that they can provide the best possible service to our residents.

Housing and Planning Bill

Debate between Greg Clark and Alec Shelbrooke

Monday 2nd November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Greg Clark]

The hon. Lady makes my case for me. The consequence of such a long period of failing to provide the homes we need is of course reflected in their price. That is why the purpose of the Government—and, I hope, of the House—is to build more homes to make sure that they are available in quantity to the next generation.

[Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that, for all the howling from Labour Members, the fact that house prices went up threefold to fourfold during the Labour Government is why young people find it so hard to get on to the housing ladder, with house prices accelerating way beyond salaries? Of course, that was during Labour’s alleged economic miracle.

[Greg Clark]

I could not agree more. It is economics plain and simple. I do not know whether it is Corbynomics, but it is certainly the laws of economics: if we do not build enough homes, prices will go up and get beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Greg Clark and Alec Shelbrooke

Monday 5th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con)]

18. Whether he plans to set the strategic housing land availability assessments of potential housing provided by unimplemented planning permissions against the five-year supply requirement.

[The Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Greg Clark)]

I can confirm that, yes, councils will be able to use unimplemented consents in their five-year supply.

[Alec Shelbrooke]

I am grateful for that reply, but I urge the Minister to work closely with councils on publishing more guidance and setting out how to build a strong evidence base in order to include windfall sites, so that Leeds city council can stand up in the planning courts and use the 2.3 years of windfall supply as part of the current five-year supply, because at the moment, it is losing on every appeal.

[Greg Clark]

I understand my hon. Friend’s concern. As he knows, I visited Leeds in recent days, and I believe he was returning from his honeymoon, on which all Members will, I am sure, wish to congratulate him. I understand the situation he outlines: having the ability to use these unimplemented consents will be a start, and I would be happy to meet him, now that he is back in such fine form, to continue the discussion.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Greg Clark and Alec Shelbrooke

Monday 20th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con)]

Will my right hon. Friend visit my constituency so that I can show him at first hand the greenfield land that is being developed, while thousands of units neighbouring my constituency, which have been approved by Leeds city council for building on, are being completely ignored by housing developers, thereby totally undermining any regeneration the city would like to achieve?

[The Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Greg Clark)]

I would be delighted to go to Yorkshire to visit my hon. Friend’s constituency and advise the council that the best way it can control its destiny is by adopting a local plan forthwith.