Asked by: Kemi Badenoch (Conservative - North West Essex)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Pursuant to the answer of 26 July 2024 to Question 569 on Affordable Housing: Construction, what the evidential basis is that changes to national planning policy introduced in December 2023 were damaging.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The supply impact of the last government’s approach to planning reform is clear: homes granted planning permission fell to their lowest level in a decade in the last published quarter. The proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework which we have consulted on will reverse the changes made in December 2023 that were disruptive to the sector and detrimental to housing supply.
Asked by: Tom Morrison (Liberal Democrat - Cheadle)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what his timetable is for providing Bramhall High School with details of (a) funding and (b) a start date for as under the School Rebuilding Programme.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Bramhall High School is currently in the ‘feasibility’ stage of the School Rebuilding Programme. The feasibility will determine the scope of the project, programme and the budget. Once the feasibility is concluded, the department will procure a contractor to undertake the detailed design of the scheme and secure planning permission.
The department currently anticipates appointing a contractor in spring 2025 with construction beginning from summer 2026.
Asked by: Patrick Spencer (Conservative - Central Suffolk and North Ipswich)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Norwich-to-Tilbury pylon route on the local agricultural sector.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
It is the responsibility of the developers of electricity network projects, in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission, to propose a route and obtain planning permission for that route including assessment of any agricultural impacts. The Government sets the rules for a robust and independent planning process that communities participate in.
The Government cannot comment on specific projects which will come before the Secretary of State for a final decision. Depending on the specifics of each case, network operators are required to have an agreement with landowners impacted by transmission infrastructure projects on their land, including payment of appropriate compensation.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will meet with community representatives in Lincolnshire to discuss the potential impact of the proposed Grimsby to Walpole project under the great grid upgrade.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
It is the responsibility of the developers of electricity network projects – in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission - to propose a route and obtain planning permission for that route. The government sets the rules for a robust and independent planning process that communities can participate in, with consultation being a central element of the planning process. Any engagement by Ministers must consider the role of the Secretary of State in deciding on planning applications for energy projects, and the limitations on discussing live projects in the development process which have not come to the Planning Inspectorate.
Asked by: Josh MacAlister (Labour - Whitehaven and Workington)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an estimate of the total costs awarded by the Planning Inspector to the appellant due to unreasonable behaviour of the planning authority in the determination of clean energy projects since 2020.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Planning Inspectorate does not hold information on whether a local planning authority has acted unreasonably in refusing a planning application for a clean energy project without justification. As such, we are unable to provide an estimate on the number of such cases.
In addition, when determining a planning appeal the Planning Inspector or Secretary of State can only address the principle of whether costs should be awarded in full or in part. The precise costs are settled subsequently between the parties, who are under no obligation to inform the Planning Inspectorate or the Secretary of State as to the outcome. As such, we are unable to provide an estimate of the total costs awarded in relation to such cases.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of giving local councils compulsory purchase powers for stalled development sites with planning permission.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local authorities already have various compulsory purchase powers to acquire and develop land which could include stalled development sites with planning permission. The Government is keen for authorities to make greater use of their compulsory purchase powers to support the regeneration and growth of their areas where appropriate, provided there is a compelling case in the public interest. To assist local authorities in using their powers, this Government has recently published updated guidance on the compulsory purchase process reforms introduced by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023. This can be found at here.
Asked by: Josh MacAlister (Labour - Whitehaven and Workington)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of in how many cases the Planning Inspectorate has found that a local planning authority has acted unreasonably in refusing a planning application for a clean energy project without justification since 2020.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Planning Inspectorate does not hold information on whether a local planning authority has acted unreasonably in refusing a planning application for a clean energy project without justification. As such, we are unable to provide an estimate on the number of such cases.
In addition, when determining a planning appeal the Planning Inspector or Secretary of State can only address the principle of whether costs should be awarded in full or in part. The precise costs are settled subsequently between the parties, who are under no obligation to inform the Planning Inspectorate or the Secretary of State as to the outcome. As such, we are unable to provide an estimate of the total costs awarded in relation to such cases.
Asked by: Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat - Chesham and Amersham)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to Section 15 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the planning application notification requirements for ensuring that local residents are aware of proposals to build large developments in their area.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government is committed to ensuring that local residents are adequately informed about planning applications, particularly those involving large developments that may significantly impact their communities.
Article 15 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, requires public notification of planning applications, including via site displays and notices in local newspapers for at least 21 days. In addition, we are exploring methods to improve community engagement, such as leveraging digital platforms and social media to reach a broader audience.
Asked by: Anna Dixon (Labour - Shipley)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a tax on unbuilt developments where planning permission has lapsed; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of such a tax on the construction of new homes.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Introducing new taxes requires a comprehensive evaluation of a variety of factors including, but not limited to, complexity, fairness, and simplicity for the taxpayer. The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the usual tax policy making process and welcomes representations to help inform future decisions on tax policy. Any changes are generally announced at fiscal events, where decisions are taken in the round.
The Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes and has consulted on reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework to deliver key steps to get Britain building, including the reintroduction of mandatory housing targets.
Asked by: Jerome Mayhew (Conservative - Broadland and Fakenham)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether it is her policy that there is to be a presumption against planning permission for solar farms that are not nationally significant infrastructure projects on best and most versatile land.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government places great importance upon our agriculture and food production, and this is reflected in the National Planning Policy Framework. The Framework is clear that local planning authorities should recognise the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land. Where significant development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, including ground mounted solar, the planning authority should seek to use poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality.