Oral Answers to Questions

Julian Sturdy Excerpts

Monday 17th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Prisk]

We are keen to ensure that we see new building—in terms of new buy, rented, private and social—and I would be happy to have a further conversation with the right hon. Gentleman to understand the point he has raised in a little more detail.

[Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con)]

7. What steps he has taken to allow local authorities to tackle inappropriate development on gardens.

[Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con)]

15. What steps he has taken to allow local authorities to tackle inappropriate development on gardens.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Nick Boles)]

This Government acted immediately in June 2010 to scrap the guidance that classified gardens as brownfield land and encouraged developers to build on them. The new national planning policy framework enables local authorities to resist garden grabbing.

[Julian Sturdy]

I thank the Minister for his response and welcome him to his new position.

In the rural areas of York Outer, garden grabbing has caused great concern, with communities feeling that they have no say over this form of development. Will the Minister confirm that the Government will continue to empower local residents to stand up for their areas?

[Nick Boles]

Yes; the Government have already taken important steps to empower local people, through neighbourhood plans and the community right to buy. I hope that some of the communities that my hon. Friend represents so ably in and around York will take advantage of them.