Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what level of community consultation, including with residents and businesses, are development partners appointed to bring forward sites, such as York Central, expected to undertake.

Answered by Rachel Maclean

As set out previously, the Government has been examining ways to incentivise the prompt build-out of permitted housing sites and to support councils to act against those who fail to meet these commitments. Through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, we are requiring housing developers to notify local authorities, via a Development Commencement Notice, when they commence development. We will also modernise and streamline existing powers for local authorities to serve completions notices.

The Housing Delivery Test holds local authorities to account for their role in housing delivery and encourages them to take an active role in delivering more homes.

The proposed Government Hub at York Central is progressing through detailed design. A public consultation was held in November 2022.

The Infrastructure Levy will apply to permissions that are granted once a local authority has introduced it in their area. For planning permissions granted prior to this date, the existing system of Section 106 planning obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy will apply.

On community consultation, I refer the Hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 142761 on 23 February 2023.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to encourage innovative forms of public engagement in the planning process.

Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

The Government collects data on the number of second homes in England. The latest data can be found here. National planning policy sets out that planning policies and decisions should consider the need for safe and accessible green infrastructure and open space, and local planning authorities should pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gain for biodiversity, including on brownfield sites. National planning requires local plans to provide for attractive and well-designed walking and cycling networks with supporting facilities such as secure cycle parking. Plans should also protect and enhance public rights of way and access. National Planning Policy already states that local planning authorities should pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gain for biodiversity.

Regarding York, the York local plan remains at examination. The Inspectors have yet to conclude the examination but it is important that the Independent Inspectors are given the opportunity to complete their final report.

The Government is working to release public land for new housing.

Communities must be at the heart of the planning process. The Government’s reforms, detailed in a recent WMS, will increase and enhance opportunities for involvement, so it is simpler, faster and easier for communities to engage with local plans.

We intend to consult shortly on an increase to planning fees that will help provide additional resources to further support the delivery and improvement of planning services.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to help ensure local communities are heard in the planning process.

Answered by Lucy Frazer - Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

The Government collects data on the number of second homes in England. The latest data can be found here. National planning policy sets out that planning policies and decisions should consider the need for safe and accessible green infrastructure and open space, and local planning authorities should pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gain for biodiversity, including on brownfield sites. National planning requires local plans to provide for attractive and well-designed walking and cycling networks with supporting facilities such as secure cycle parking. Plans should also protect and enhance public rights of way and access. National Planning Policy already states that local planning authorities should pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gain for biodiversity.

Regarding York, the York local plan remains at examination. The Inspectors have yet to conclude the examination but it is important that the Independent Inspectors are given the opportunity to complete their final report.

The Government is working to release public land for new housing.

Communities must be at the heart of the planning process. The Government’s reforms, detailed in a recent WMS, will increase and enhance opportunities for involvement, so it is simpler, faster and easier for communities to engage with local plans.

We intend to consult shortly on an increase to planning fees that will help provide additional resources to further support the delivery and improvement of planning services.

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether his Department plans to publish its response to the Planning for the Future Consultation before the House of Commons rises on the 23 September 2021.

Answered by Christopher Pincher

This Government seeks to unite and level up the country, ensuring opportunity is available for all, and our plans to modernise the planning system are an important part of this.

We are continuing to reflect on the 43,000 consultation responses and engage with stakeholders across the system.