Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what status Neighbourhood Plans have with the Planning Inspector in the determination of planning application appeals; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
Once adopted, neighbourhood plans become part of the development plan for the local area alongside the Local Plan. Planning law requires that decision takers, including planning inspectors, must determine planning applications in accordance with the development plan (including any neighbourhood plan) unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
If he will amend planning guidance to ensure that a full assessment of the capacity of the existing local drainage system is carried out before work can begin on developments; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
Our existing guidance is clear that if there are concerns about the capacity of wastewater infrastructure that is needed for drainage, applicants can be asked to provide information about how the development would be drained and wastewater dealt with. Where it is found that additional sewerage infrastructure is needed, developers can be required to fund this.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to issue a decision on the bid by Tewkesbury Borough Council for financial support to deliver the Garden Town as part of the Government's garden communities programme; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
Across England we are currently supporting 49 locally-led Garden Communities, to be exemplars of high quality, good design and best practice.
Locally-led garden communities are vital to delivering the transformational housing growth that we need, whilst ensuring surrounding existing communities can also benefit from growth through well-planned infrastructure and community amenities.
My Department has been considering the bids received for funding through the Government’s Garden Communities programme and we hope to announce funding allocations in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to issue a decision on the bid by Tewkesbury Borough Council for £1.5m to assist with the business case work associated with the options for the off line transport/highway improvements to J9 M5/A46; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
Across England we are currently supporting 49 locally-led Garden Communities, to be exemplars of high quality, good design and best practice.
Locally-led garden communities are vital to delivering the transformational housing growth that we need, whilst ensuring surrounding existing communities can also benefit from growth through well-planned infrastructure and community amenities.
My Department has been considering the bids received for funding through the Government’s Garden Communities programme and we hope to announce funding allocations in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make water companies statutory consultees in medium and large scale planning applications; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
The list of statutory consultees is under constant review. Whilst particular organisations or bodies might not be statutory consultees on planning applications, they can work proactively with local councils to identify developments where they might have an interest and can comment on proposals within the statutory public consultation period. The decision to grant or refuse a planning application ultimately rests with the local planning authority, who will take into account all relevant planning considerations and not just the advice from one consultee.
Planning practice guidance encourages early engagement between local planning authorities and water/sewerage companies where water quality is likely to be a significant planning concern. Part 8 of the Development Management Procedure Order 2015 - “Miscellaneous – Local Development Orders” states that where a local planning authority has prepared a draft Local Development Order in which the interests of water/sewerage companies are likely to be affected, the authority must consult those companies. Consultation with water/sewerage companies also ensures that the companies’ investment plans align with local development needs. Water/sewerage companies should also be consulted on Local Plans in order to manage water demand locally and help deliver new development.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a snagging retention scheme for the sale of new houses; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
We expect all housing developers to deliver good quality housing, to deliver it on time, and to treat house buyers fairly.
Most snags found in new build homes occur within the first two years of the occupant moving in. Where there are problems, regardless of whether they are large or small, they should be corrected promptly by developers.
Our plans for the New Homes Ombudsman scheme will increase homebuyer protection, including resolving disputes about snags and defects within the first two years after purchase. It will be a requirement for developers of new build homes to be members of the New Homes Ombudsman scheme.
Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he expects to introduce a White Paper on Planning Reform.
Answered by Christopher Pincher
As set out in Planning for the Future published at the Budget in March, we will be publishing a bold and ambitious planning White Paper which will aim to make the planning system clearer, more accessible and more certain for all users. The White Paper will be published later this year.