Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, in evaluating the potential scope for the starter homes policy, what estimate he has made of the (a) area of land not otherwise likely to be designated for housing development, which might become available under the starter homes policy, and (b) number of homes built on such sites in the next five years.

As laid out in the guidance on Starter Homes published by my Department, Starter Homes exception sites are expected to be on land that has been in commercial or industrial use, and which has not currently been identified for residential development. The types and sizes of site suitable for Starter Homes are likely to vary across the country, and will reflect the pattern of existing and former industrial and commercial use as well as local market conditions. Land in both public and private ownership can be considered

The Coalition Government’s goal is to deliver 100,000 new homes under the scheme. Already more than 30 house builders have said that they support the plans.

The Prime Minister has also set out Conservative Party policy intentions to take the scheme further in the next Parliament.