Oral Answers to Questions

Guy Opperman Excerpts

Monday 30th April 2012 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)]

1. What steps he is taking to promote the refurbishment of empty and vacant homes in Northumberland.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Andrew Stunell)]

I have allocated £150 million to bring empty homes back into use, and £160,000 has already been committed to a project in Northumberland, subject to contract. In addition, of course, Northumberland has received a reward of £630,000 through the new homes bonus for bringing 256 long-term empty homes back into use.

[Guy Opperman]

I thank the Minister for that answer. Does he agree that Northumberland county council, in drawing up its local development framework, should promote and maintain brownfield sites for development before any greenfield sites?

[Andrew Stunell]

I certainly agree with my hon. Friend, and I draw his and the council’s attention to the publication, two weeks ago, of the national planning policy framework, which sets out the importance of making sure that all such plans are founded on the principles of sustainable development. Of course, the Government want to encourage every local authority to focus on land of the least environmental quality, and that, of course, includes brownfield sites.