Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - 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 29 January (HL 12331), whether they have (1) consulted with local residents and others affected by any new Inland Border Facility at Dover, and (2) they have published any application documents.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
My Department has not received any submission seeking the Secretary of State’s approval to the development and use of a specific site in Dover as an Inland Border Facility.
Substantive engagement is a requirement on the relevant border department ahead of seeking approval for any site-specific proposal from my Department.
I understand that the Government’s border facing departments have provided a website with information on the Government’s plans for delivering inland border facilities. The website can be found at: https://inlandborderfacilities.uk/
As my Ministerial colleague will be taking decisions on any site-specific proposals it is not appropriate for me to comment on sites that are or may be the subject of a proposal; we will take decisions without pre-determination and on the basis of the evidence and advice in front of us.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - 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 29 January (HL12331), whether they have set out the environmental effects of developing an Inland Border Facility at Dover; and whether they have sought separate approvals for (1) a Construction Management Plan, (2) an Operational Management Plan, and (3) a Reinstatement Plan.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
My Department has not received any submission seeking the Secretary of State’s approval to the development and use of a specific site in Dover as an Inland Border Facility.
For my Department to consider any such request the Special Development Order approved by Parliament requires an evidenced proposal for consideration. This must include an analysis of the likely environmental effects of the development.
No plans for the construction, operation or reinstatement of an Inland Border Facility in Dover are with my Department.
As my Ministerial colleague will be taking decisions on any site-specific proposals it is not appropriate for me to comment on sites that are or may be the subject of a proposal; we will take decisions without pre-determination and on the basis of the evidence and advice in front of us.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, what planning permissions have been sought and given for the White Cliffs inland border facility near Dover; what other permissions are (1) needed, (2) have been sought, and (3) have been given; what works have started without any planning permission; what consultation with local residents has taken place; what compensation will be payable to local residents; how long the facility is planned to remain in place; and what assurances they have given about reinstatement of the site at the end of its period of operation.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
My department has not received any planning application for the use and development of land at White Cliffs, Dover as an Inland Border Facility.
I understand that the Department of Transport has stated that it intends to seek approval under the Town and Country Planning (Border Facilities and Infrastructure) (EU Exit) (England) Special Development Order 2020, for a facility in Dover.
My department has not received any submission seeking the Secretary of State’s approval to the development and use a specific site in Dover. As my Ministerial colleague will be taking decisions on any site-specific proposals it is not appropriate for me to comment on sites that are or may be the subject of a proposal; we will take decisions without pre-determination and on the basis of the evidence and advice in front of us.
I also understand that the Government’s border facing departments have provided a website with information on their plans for delivering inland border facilities, with details of individual proposals and how to comment. The website can be found at: https://inlandborderfacilities.uk/.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, (1) what steps they are taking, and (2) what discussions have taken place between Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Transport, to ensure that the Planning for the Future White paper aligns with the Transport Decarbonisation Plan; and what consideration they have given to ensuring that plans for new residential developments minimise car dependence.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government believes in the importance of decarbonisation. That is why the National Planning Policy Framework already promotes sustainable transport and makes clear that priority should be given to pedestrian and cycle movements and to facilitating access to high quality public transport. Alongside this, the Planning for the Future White Paper also made clear that our planning reforms will seek to reduce our reliance on carbon-intensive modes of transport and it acknowledges the need for the wider reform to be set within our drive towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Following extensive engagement the consultation closed on 29 October. We are considering the consultation responses received and will publish a response in due course.
Asked by: Lord Berkeley (Labour - 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 Bourne of Aberystwyth on 24 July (HL17129), whether they will now answer the question put, in particular in respect of the Duchy of Cornwall.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
The Government has previously responded that the Law Commission is currently reviewing the leasehold enfranchisement process, and will consider its recommendations when they report back in the next few months.