National Planning Policy Framework

Robert Courts Excerpts

Monday 5th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con)]

rose—

[Robert Courts (Witney) (Con)]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

What a choice between two illustrious denizens of the House. I call Mr Andrew Selous.

[Sajid Javid]

My hon. Friend highlights the need for more cross-government work to ensure better co-ordination on issues such as utilities to make sure that all Departments are delivering. I am working with my right hon. Friend the Business Secretary and his colleagues to make sure that utilities are put in at the right time and do not hold up development.

[Robert Courts]

In rural areas such as west Oxfordshire, it is absolutely essential that, when new houses are built, infrastructure is built to accompany them. Will the Secretary of State please confirm that the intention of the NPPF revision is that developers are not only made to pay for that infrastructure, but that it will be delivered in advance of, or at the very least at the same time as, the houses are being built—not long afterwards, or, worse, not at all?

[Sajid Javid]

There is obviously a role for Departments to play with regard to strategic infrastructure—for example, the housing deal in Oxfordshire helps to provide some of the strategic infrastructure—but my hon. Friend is absolutely right about the role that developers must play in providing infrastructure. Many do not meet those obligations, which is why we set out the consultation on developer contributions. I hope he will contribute to it.