Asked by: Marco Longhi (Conservative - Dudley North)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy that in the event that a change in his policies on energy ratings requires owners of private dwellings to undertake building works those changes in policies will be limited to new build properties.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The Government is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Both new and existing homes will need to become more energy efficient and switch to low carbon heating to meet this ambitious target. The Government recently consulted on raising minimum energy performance standards in private rental sector homes and is currently consulting on measures to improve energy performance of homes through lenders. Our Heat and Building Strategy will set out further actions we will take for reducing emissions from buildings.
The Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, published in November 2020, also set out a range of measures to support all property owners to improve the energy performance of their homes, including extending the Green Homes Grant scheme for a further year.
The minimum energy efficiency standards that we set for buildings through Part L of the Building Regulations must put us on the right path to achieve our net zero commitment. The Future Buildings Standard consultation, which was published on 19 January 2021, builds on the Future Homes Standard by setting out energy and ventilation standards for non-domestic buildings, existing homes and to mitigate against overheating in residential buildings. Together, the Future Homes Standard and proposed Future Buildings Standard provide a pathway towards creating homes and buildings that are fit for the future and a built environment with lower carbon emissions
Asked by: Marco Longhi (Conservative - Dudley North)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what representations he has received on the adequacy of public consultation on future local planning decisions in Dudley North constituency.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
Local planning authorities are required to undertake a formal period of public consultation for most planning applications, of no less than 21 days. By law, planning applications are determined in accordance with the local development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Each application is judged on its own individual merit and the weight given to these considerations is a matter for the local planning authority as the decision taker.
The planning reforms set out in the Planning for the Future White paper will make it simpler, quicker and more accessible for local people to engage with the planning system. The best way to bring forward new, significant development is by improving community engagement and input at an earlier stage in the planning process. At the plan making stage, people will have the opportunity to comment on local plans and deciding where proposed development should go. There will still be the opportunity for people to comment on planning applications where these are required.
We have received no recent representations concerning the adequacy of public consultation for current planning applications in Dudley North.
Asked by: Marco Longhi (Conservative - Dudley North)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to (a) encourage the allocation of (i) the £25 million Towns Fund funding and (ii) other recent funding for Dudley to the redevelopment of the town centre and (b) ensure that the widest possible consultation is carried out so that local people help decide what is right for their town.
Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Education)
As set out in the Towns Fund further guidance, we know town centres and high streets are facing particular challenges. We are leaving flexibility for towns to prioritise investment across the town – for example, in gateway areas, key education or employment sites.
The Town Deal Board is responsible for producing the final Town Investment Plan, including putting forward suitable projects which align with the objectives of the Towns Fund. It is crucial that interventions supported through the Towns Fund should have the support of the community, through early and ongoing engagement and genuine partnership arrangements.
Asked by: Marco Longhi (Conservative - Dudley North)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans the Government has to strengthen the rights of local communities on section 106 agreements.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The Government has introduced a requirement for all local authorities that receive developer contributions, including from section 106 agreements, to publish an annual Infrastructure Funding Statement.
The statements, which must first be published by 31 December 2020 should identify income and spend on infrastructure and affordable housing and the choices local authorities have made about how future contributions will be used.
This transparency will help local people to understand what contributions are being collected towards infrastructure. The neighbourhood allocation of the Community Infrastructure Levy also enables communities to have a say in how funds should be used to help support their local area.