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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 3 November (HL Deb col 1768), what issues the review of the existing protections of open spaces will examine; and whether there will be a public consultation before changes are proposed to those protections.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Open and green spaces are an essential part of local social infrastructure and must be protected for future generations. The review of existing protections will examine the fragmented and outdated nature of current legislative protections for public recreational green spaces, assess how these protections complement those in the planning system, and consider the lack of central records on protected land.

We intend to analyse the effectiveness and usability of existing protections, to simplify the system, ensure consistency for developers and local authorities and empower communities to protect valued spaces.

We intend to engage widely to ensure stakeholder views are considered before recommending any changes are made to these protections.

Further details about the review will be released in due course.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 3 November (HL Deb col 1768), what criteria they plan to use to decide which categories of open space should be included in the review of the existing protections of open spaces, and whether they will include covenanted land or land held in trust.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Open and green spaces are an essential part of local social infrastructure and must be protected for future generations. The review of existing protections will examine the fragmented and outdated nature of current legislative protections for public recreational green spaces, assess how these protections complement those in the planning system, and consider the lack of central records on protected land.

Further details on the review of protections for public recreational green spaces, and on the timetable of the review will be shared in due course.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 3 November (HL Deb col 1768), what is the timetable for the review of the existing protections of open spaces.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Open and green spaces are an essential part of local social infrastructure and must be protected for future generations. The review of existing protections will examine the fragmented and outdated nature of current legislative protections for public recreational green spaces, assess how these protections complement those in the planning system, and consider the lack of central records on protected land.

Further details on the review of protections for public recreational green spaces, and on the timetable of the review will be shared in due course.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 28 November (HL11998), what is their latest estimate for the total number of mid-rise residential buildings in England.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

There are an estimated 39,000 - 59,000 mid-rise (between 11m and 18m in height) residential buildings in England. A description of the methodology for the estimate can be found in the technical note that accompanies the monthly remediation data release. It can be found (attached) here: Building Safety Remediation: Technical note October 2025 - GOV.UK

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 24 November (HL Deb col 1154), whether severely contaminated brownfield sites will not be developed due to the cost of remediation, and whether they plan for those sites to remain contaminated and derelict.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The National Planning Policy Framework states (attached) that planning policies and decisions should support appropriate opportunities to remediate derelict and contaminated land. It also states that where a site is affected by contamination, responsibility for securing a safe development rests with the developer and/or landowner. Planning Practice Guidance on viability (attached) recognises abnormal costs, including those associated with treatment for contaminated sites.

To unlock previously developed land for housing, the Government provides capital support to local authorities through the Brownfield Land Release Fund. The funding enables councils to undertake necessary remediation works, including decontamination.

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Found: Letter dated 10/12/2025 from Baroness Taylor of Stevenage to Baroness Scott of Bybrook, Baroness McIntosh