Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Theresa Villiers and Sajid Javid

Monday 27th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

We have put record amounts of investment into affordable homes, and we have listened to housing associations and asked them to clarify what will help them to deliver across the country, including in Lincolnshire. One thing they have asked for is more flexibility in the types of affordable homes that can be delivered, and we have provided just that.

[Mrs Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) (Con)]

Is it not vital that key decisions on housing targets in a local area are made by councils elected by local people?

[Sajid Javid]

I agree with my right hon. Friend. When it comes to planning in this country, it is a very important principle that the key decisions around allocating land for development and making decisions on planning permissions should be led by local areas.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Theresa Villiers and Sajid Javid

Monday 18th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Sajid Javid]

The right hon. Lady asks a very fair question. A number of firms and local regions have been asking just that. That is why, as I said earlier, this is an absolute priority now for the Government to make clear.

[Mrs Theresa Villiers (Chipping Barnet) (Con)]

I warmly congratulate the Secretary of State on his appointment. Will he guarantee to the House that during his tenure as Secretary of State there will be no dilution whatever to the vital protections of the green belt?

[Sajid Javid]

I thank my right hon. Friend for her warm words. The green belt is absolutely sacrosanct. We have made that clear: it was in the Conservative party manifesto and that will not change. The green belt remains special. Unless there are very exceptional circumstances, we should not be carrying out any development on it.