Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Boles and Annette Brooke

Monday 3rd March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)]

5. If he will review planning guidance relating to flooding risks.

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

We are already looking to see what lessons can be learned from recent floods. There are strict tests to protect people and property from flooding, which all councils should follow, and we will underline the importance of that in new planning guidance to be published shortly.

[Annette Brooke]

I thank the Minister for his answer. Given our changing weather patterns, what advice would he give to local planning authorities and, indeed, planning inspectors on the allocation of housing sites that are identified as having future flood risk, in terms of green spaces, drainage systems, house design and, indeed, a need to find alternative sites?

[Nick Boles]

Development in flood risk areas must be flood resistant and resilient. That policy is very clear. I would advise inspectors and councils to follow the Environment Agency’s advice to the letter and make sure that all development is resilient to flood risk.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Boles and Annette Brooke

Monday 25th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)]

T7. What steps is the Minister taking to implement existing planning permissions, particularly on brownfield sites?

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

I have good news for my hon. Friend. Of those units that already have planning permission, building has started on 49% of them. Now, 72% of the rest are moving towards making a start, up from 58% at the end of 2011. That means that only 23% are now on hold. We have made funds available through the Get Britain Building investment fund and the local infrastructure investment fund to help get stalled sites moving.

Growth and Infrastructure Bill

Debate between Nick Boles and Annette Brooke

Monday 17th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)]

Has the Minister considered giving notice and support to such authorities, before moving to designation?

[Nick Boles]

I have good news for my hon. Friend. I had discussions with the Local Government Association just a few days ago. Because of the proposal on which we are consulting, which is that it should be two years of data about the timeliness of decisions on major applications, it will become clear, probably publicly but certainly to my officials and to officials in the Local Government Association, which authorities are heading into the danger zone, even after probably only six months’ data.

I have had discussions with the Local Government Association, with full support from the Department and my officials putting an arm round those authorities that are beginning to get into the danger zone and helping ensure that they get out before the axe falls—before the designation becomes real. It is my genuine hope that no local authority gets caught by the provision, because no local authority consistently fails to discharge its responsibilities.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Boles and Annette Brooke

Monday 12th November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)]

21. What steps he is taking to support the creation of neighbourhood plans.

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

The Government have committed £50 million until March 2015 to enable local authorities to fulfil their legal duty to support neighbourhood planning. We are also providing direct support to front runners—£3.1 million this year to four organisations supporting neighbourhood plan areas.

[Annette Brooke]

I thank the Minister for his answer. I hear reports of delays in setting up the processes for neighbourhood forums, and I hear that not all planning officers are enthusiastic about neighbourhood plans. What more can the Government do to turn the Localism Act 2011 from a piece of legislation into a real change in culture and practice?

[Nick Boles]

I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this to my attention. The fact is that the duty to support neighbourhood planning is the law of the land, and we expect all local authorities and all people who work for them to obey the law of the land. If there is any evidence to the contrary, I look forward to receiving it from her.