Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he plans to take to reclassify the status of airfields to greenfield under planning regulations.
Answered by Lord Barwell
It is our National Planning Policy Framework, not regulation, that defines brownfield. This states clearly that, if a site is brownfield, it should not be assumed that the whole curtilage should be developed. Whilst this Government is keen to ensure the re-use of brownfield sites that are not of high environmental value, especially for new homes, it would be for the local authority to decide whether an airfield should be retained for general aviation; whether a site, or part of a site, is suitable for redevelopment; and whether former airfield land should be retained for uses such as nature conservation, recreation or agriculture.
The local authority should have regard to all relevant policies in the National Planning Policy Framework including, where relevant, the policy for airports and airfields (that are not subject to a separate national policy statement) which expects local planning authorities to take account of their growth and role in serving business, leisure, training and emergency needs.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will seek a UK exemption on current EU targets for 8.33kHz radio adoption.
Answered by John Hayes
The Government and the Civil Aviation Authority have sought some limited exemptions to keep some channels in use after the deadline. The Government will review the situation should the broader exemptions sought by other states be granted.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the gross value added to the economy by general aviation in the UK.
Answered by John Hayes
In March 2015 the Government published research that the Department for Transport commissioned from York Aviation entitled “The Economic Value of General Aviation in the UK”.
That research contained an estimate of the gross value added to the economy by general aviation in the UK as being £3.8bn direct and indirect economic benefit, supporting 38,000 jobs.
We consider this research to still be valid but will keep this under review in light of emerging trends.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to incentivise the use of greener fuels in general aviation.
Answered by John Hayes
I refer my honourable friend to the written answer that I gave to the honourable Member for Birmingham, Northfield on 5 April (Reference UIN 69591). We are taking action to encourage the development and supply of lower carbon jet fuels, including by bringing forward proposals to support the use of sustainable alternative fuels in aviation under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation. We will publish the outcome of that consultation in due course.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to reduce VAT on flight training and general aviation-related mechanical or engineering education programmes.
Answered by Jane Ellison
Where education is provided for no charge it is outside the scope of VAT.
Where an eligible body such as a university or a further education college charges for supplies of vocational training, or school, higher, or further education, that supply will be exempt from VAT.
While all taxes are kept under review, there are no plans to provide further VAT relief for flight training and general aviation-related mechanical or engineering education programmes.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to exempt publicly-owned special protection and conservation areas from any future public land disposal.
Answered by Lord Barwell
The National Planning Policy Framework seeks to promote sustainable development. The Government encourages and supports innovative ways to deliver the homes this country needs, while protecting and enhancing the natural environment through legislation and policy. We have no plans to exempt publicly-owned special protection and conservation areas from any future public land disposal.
We announced in the Housing White Paper, published on 7 February, a new and strategic approach to the habitat management of the great crested newt. This will not only protect a rare species and its habitat, but will safeguard development from delays, costs and uncertainty. We also announced our proposal to clarify national planning policy on ancient woodland and aged or veteran trees. This reflects the need to protect these irreplaceable habitats from harmful development.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to deliver nature-friendly housing developments.
Answered by Lord Barwell
The National Planning Policy Framework seeks to promote sustainable development. The Government encourages and supports innovative ways to deliver the homes this country needs, while protecting and enhancing the natural environment through legislation and policy. We have no plans to exempt publicly-owned special protection and conservation areas from any future public land disposal.
We announced in the Housing White Paper, published on 7 February, a new and strategic approach to the habitat management of the great crested newt. This will not only protect a rare species and its habitat, but will safeguard development from delays, costs and uncertainty. We also announced our proposal to clarify national planning policy on ancient woodland and aged or veteran trees. This reflects the need to protect these irreplaceable habitats from harmful development.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to commission economic research to provide an update on the General Aviation Strategy published in March 2015.
Answered by John Hayes
The General Aviation Strategy published in March 2015 was supported by research that the Department for Transport commissioned from York Aviation entitled “The Economic Value of General Aviation in the UK” and published on 26 March 2015. We consider this research to still be valid but will keep thus under review in light of emerging trends.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps he has taken to support high street banking for local communities.
Answered by Simon Kirby
High streets are a crucial part of our local and regional economies. The Government wants to see vibrant hubs where people live, shop, use services, and spend their leisure time.
A new agreement between the Post Office and UK banks, announced on 24 January 2017, means that more individuals and businesses can use 11,600 local Post Office branches to access a wider range of banking services. Thanks to the new agreement, the Post Office estimates that 99% of personal bank customers and 75% of business customers will now be able to do their day to day banking at a Post Office.
The Government recognises the need to support local communities to adapt to changes in banking, including when bank branches close. In March 2015, the Government helped to broker an industry-wide agreement to work with customers and communities to minimise the impact of bank branch closures and put in place alternative banking services. The Government welcomed Professor Russel Griggs’ recent review of the Protocol and is pleased to see the industry commit to further improvements to protect those affected by closures.
The Government has also made a manifesto commitment to support credit unions in making financial services more accessible. Credit unions are democratic, not-for-profit, financial services providers which are owned and run by members of their community and who provide affordable, sustainable credit to their members.
Asked by: Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative - Rochester and Strood)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions (a) his Department and (b) Network Rail has with local authorities ahead of major rail maintenance work in the areas covered by those authorities.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The Department for Transport does not hold such discussions. Network Rail route teams have an ongoing programme of general engagement with local authorities. Network Rail needs to agree all access to the railway for maintenance, engineering and upgrade works with Train Operating Companies (TOCs). TOCs are primarily responsible for taking account of passenger and other local needs, liaising with local authorities where applicable.