Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will revise his Draft National Planning guidance to afford local wildlife sites the presumption against development; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Dominic Raab
This Government is committed to ensuring clarity around environmental protections in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). We engaged relevant stakeholders, including environmental organisations, during the consultation on the revised NPPF. The consultation closed on 10 May 2018 and we are currently considering responses. The revised NPPF and the Government’s response will be published this summer.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to issue new guidance to planning authorities on the proportion of affordable homes in any new development on which they can insist; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Dominic Raab
It is the role of local authorities to set out in plans the scale and type of housing, including affordable housing, required in their area. The draft National Planning Policy Framework and associated guidance was published in March. This makes clear that local plans should set clear policy requirements for affordable housing. This is supported by a standardised way of assessing local housing need and a new approach to viability.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent representations has he received on the (a) 100% maximum resale charge and (b) rate at which pitch fees can increase under the Mobile Homes Act 2013; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
I have not received any representations on a 100 per cent maximum resale charge.
I published a Call for Evidence on 28 November 2017 seeking views on the mobile homes legislation and the appropriate index to be used when carrying out a pitch fee review. A copy of the Call for Evidence published is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-park-homes-legislation-call-for-evidence-part-2.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the adequacy of insurance cover held by Kensington and Chelsea Council to meet the costs of the consequences of the Grenfell Tower fire; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
My officials are working with the council to understand the policy and ensure that the insurers honour their obligations. It would not be appropriate to make any further statement at this time as discussions with the insurer are on going.