Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking in response to the consultation entitled Powers for dealing with unauthorised development and encampments; and when he plans to implement the measures proposed in that consultation.
Answered by Esther McVey
Many of the measures set out in the government response to the consultation on powers for dealing with unauthorised developments and encampments are being progressed or have already been delivered. These include £1.79 million awarded to 37 planning authorities to support enforcement activities and the publication of a Written Ministerial Statement on 6 February (HCWS1305) on transit sites and intentional unauthorised developments.
Furthermore, in support of authorised encampments, local authorities can bid for funding for permanent traveller sites through the 2016-21 Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme, along with other forms of affordable housing. The New Homes Bonus will match fund the additional council tax raised for new homes, including traveller pitches. Other measures still to be implemented by the Department includes strengthening policy on intentional unauthorised development.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what procedures should be followed by which bodies when non-Travellers live on Traveller sites.
Answered by Esther McVey
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Dissolution.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Land Registry is kept up to date in respect of land holdings on Traveller sites.
Answered by Esther McVey
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Dissolution.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to define dominance in respect of the proportion of Traveller sites in a local area.
Answered by Esther McVey
When assessing the suitability of sites in rural or semi-rural areas, local planning authorities should ensure that the scale of the development does not dominate the nearest settled community. It is for the local planning authority when assessing an application to apply this policy when determining if the proposed development could dominate the nearest settled community.
The Secretary of State is in the process of preparing guidance to support authorities in determining planning applications for Gypsy and Traveller sites where the issue of traveller sites dominating the nearest settled community are raised.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
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 paragraph three of his Department's April 2015 Planning policy for Traveller sites, what evidential test is used to ensure that the interests of the settled community are respected; in what way the provision of Traveller sites facilitates the traditional and nomadic way of life of Travellers; and whether that way of life can be facilitated by (a) the provision of parking for caravans and (b) in other ways.
Answered by Esther McVey
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Dissolution.