Housing White Paper

Iain Stewart Excerpts

Tuesday 7th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

Yes, it is.

[Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con)]

What flexibility does the White Paper propose for places such as Milton Keynes? Milton Keynes wants to expand properly as part of the Oxford to Cambridge corridor, but housing developments are now being proposed to meet short-term housing targets that risk undermining the planning for long-term growth?

[Sajid Javid]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. When plans are put together, they should look at the long-term land supply—not just over the following five years but beyond that to the required need. Also, there should be more co-operation with neighbouring local authorities on putting together the plans, which is where the proposed new statement of common purpose will help.