Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to improve the quality of new build homes.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
We have taken steps to address design quality through the revised National Planning Policy Framework and are in the process of reviewing associated guidance. We have also hosted two National Design Conferences, each attended by around 400 representatives of the sector, and we have launched the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission; to advise the Government on how to promote and increase the use of high-quality design for new build homes and neighbourhoods. The Commission will report back in December 2019.
In relation to build quality, we have announced our intention for a New Homes Ombudsman to be established and are considering options for a shadow ombudsman. Furthermore, our building regulations set requirements on a range of issues including health and safety, sustainability and access. The regulations are supported by statutory guidance in Approved Documents. As part of its response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review of Building Regulations and fire safety, the Government is developing a programme of reviews of the Approved Documents.