Asked by: Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many houses are planned to be built in the next five years in (1) Devon, (2) Essex, (3) Kent, (4) Lancashire, (5) Lincolnshire, and (6) Yorkshire.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
My Department does not hold this information as we do not forecast or project housing delivery for individual local authorities.
In December 2024 we implemented a new standard method for assessing local housing needs which aligns with the Government’s ambition for 1.5 million new homes over this parliament, and that better directs new homes to where they are most needed and least affordable.
Alongside the revised method, we published indicative local housing need figures, both for local authorities and regions, which can be found (attached) on gov.uk here.
The Government expects each local planning authority to use the revised standard method to assess local housing needs to inform plan-making. Once an assessment has been made, local authorities should take into account land availability, environmental constraints such as National Landscapes, and other relevant matters, to determine how much of the assessed housing need can be met.
Local authorities are required to adopt appropriate policies in their Local Plans to support delivery of the number, type and tenure of homes needed in their area over the lifetime of the Plan.
Our planning practice guidance on housing and economic needs assessment can be found (attached) on gov.uk here.
Asked by: Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the infrastructure and energy requirements of new housing developments, and how those requirements align with net zero and industrial growth strategies.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Reforming the planning system is key to building 1.5 million homes and delivering our modern industrial Strategy. The revised National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies should positively and proactively encourage sustainable economic growth whilst making sufficient provision for infrastructure and energy. These policies should also have regard to the national Industrial Strategy and any relevant Local Industrial Strategies.
The Government remains committed to meeting its target of net zero emissions by 2050 and recognises the importance of energy efficient buildings in meeting it. We are consulting on a set of national policies for decision-making before the end of the year. We intend to update the energy efficiency standards in the Building Regulations in the next few months.
Asked by: Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what processes are in place to assess the impact of new housing developments on existing local businesses and industrial areas, and how those assessments are considered when granting building permits.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Planning law requires decision-makers to consider the potential land-use impacts that proposals have on neighbouring development when determining planning applications.
Our National Planning Policy Framework sets out that planning policies and decisions should ensure that new development can be integrated effectively with existing businesses. Where the operation of an existing business could have a significant adverse effect on new development in its vicinity, the applicant (or ‘agent of change’) should be required to provide suitable mitigation before the development has been completed.
Asked by: Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of changes to local planning authority agendas with regard to house building upon companies directly linked to the Industrial Strategy.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is committed to building 1.5 million homes over this Parliament and delivering our modern Industrial Strategy.
Reforming the planning system is key to delivering on both of these commitments. The revised National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies should set out a clear economic vision and strategy which positively and proactively encourages sustainable economic growth, having regard to the national Industrial Strategy and any relevant Local Industrial Strategies. We will ensure that the planning system supports growth in our eight priority sectors, as reflected in the revised Framework. This prioritisation will be further embedded when we consult on a set of national policies for decision-making before the end of the year.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will also streamline the delivery of new homes and critical infrastructure – including infrastructure relevant to delivering the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
The Government engages regularly with relevant stakeholders to understand and monitor the impacts of our proposed reforms.
Asked by: Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, if any, about amending the Business and Planning Act 2020 (Pavement Licences) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 to make it a requirement that all pavement licences are 100 per cent smokefree; and if so, what was the outcome those discussions.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The temporary pavement licence provisions that were introduced in the Business and Planning Act 2020 and subsequently extended have a national smoke-free condition requiring businesses to provide seating where smoking is not permitted. In addition, Local Authorities can attach their own conditions, including those that prohibit smoking.
Asked by: Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Greenhalgh on 30 September (HL8535), what assessment they have made of the consistency of that answer with the letter sent by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to Manchester City Council in August on planned 'smoke-free' pavement licences; and what plans they have to publish the evidence underpinning the claim set out in that letter that businesses will close if these licences are implemented.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
As set out in the Housing Minister’s letter of 6 October, the motivation behind the letter to Manchester City Council was to protect hospitality businesses otherwise severely affected by the pandemic and save jobs. The Act, and associated guidance, is consistent with this aim. The smoke-free seating condition was introduced to strike the balance with the economic needs of businesses and helping towards the financial recovery from the impacts of COVID.
Asked by: Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will respond to the letter dated 14 August from Lord Young of Cookham and other peers to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government about advice given to Manchester City Council on smoke-free pavement licenses.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government has sent a response to the letter dated 14 August from Lord Young of Cookham and other peers about advice given to Manchester City Council on smoke-free pavement licences.
Asked by: Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the guidance from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to Manchester City Council regarding smoke-free pavement licences, whether they will publish their evidence for the assertion that businesses will close if councils implement these licences.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government is committed to protecting hospitality businesses impacted by the pandemic. It was for this reason that we introduced the Pavement Licence provisions in the Business and Planning Act 2020, supporting businesses by removing red tape and making it easier, faster and cheaper to serve customers outdoors. The Pavement Licence Guidance that was published on 22nd July alongside the Act was cleared with the Department of Health and Social Care. This guidance has not changed. It sets out detail on how local authorities can issue pavement licences to support businesses, including those in the hard hit hospitality sector, to return to work safely and continue serving their local communities.
Asked by: Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the guidance from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to Manchester City Council regarding smoke-free pavement licences, which organisations and individuals they (1) consulted with, or (2) received representations from, on the economic impact of such licences.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government is committed to protecting hospitality businesses impacted by the pandemic. It was for this reason that we introduced the Pavement Licence provisions in the Business and Planning Act 2020, supporting businesses by removing red tape and making it easier, faster and cheaper to serve customers outdoors. The Pavement Licence Guidance that was published on 22nd July alongside the Act was cleared with the Department of Health and Social Care. This guidance has not changed. It sets out detail on how local authorities can issue pavement licences to support businesses, including those in the hard hit hospitality sector, to return to work safely and continue serving their local communities.
Asked by: Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the guidance about smoke-free pavement licences to Manchester City Council from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government was agreed with the Department of Health and Social Care.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government is committed to protecting hospitality businesses impacted by the pandemic. It was for this reason that we introduced the Pavement Licence provisions in the Business and Planning Act 2020, supporting businesses by removing red tape and making it easier, faster and cheaper to serve customers outdoors. The Pavement Licence Guidance that was published on 22nd July alongside the Act was cleared with the Department of Health and Social Care. This guidance has not changed. It sets out detail on how local authorities can issue pavement licences to support businesses, including those in the hard hit hospitality sector, to return to work safely and continue serving their local communities.