Asked by: Nick Raynsford (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
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 total potential value of section 106 and community infrastructure levy contributions which will be forgone in sales designated under the proposed exemptions policy for starter homes.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
Further to my Written Ministerial Statement of 2 March 2015, Official Report, Column 42-44WS, we do not anticipate any shortfall, as these are homes which would not otherwise have been built.
Councils will still benefit from the New Homes Bonus and council tax receipts from the new homes.
Asked by: Nick Raynsford (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he expects to publish (a) his Department's conclusions on the Review of Property Conditions in the Private Rented Sector and (b) the summary of the views expressed in response to that consultation.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The Department published a discussion document earlier this year, Review of Property Conditions in the Private Rented Sector, which invited views on what more could be done to improve property conditions and tackle rogue landlords. An announcement on the outcome of the consultation will be made in the New Year.
Asked by: Nick Raynsford (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2014 to Question 209429, and the Housing Standards Review Technical Consultation issued in September 2014, if he will make it his policy that a national standard to replace the existing space standards used by local authorities apply to new dwellings created by conversion from other uses under permitted development rights.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
The published proposals from our Housing Standards Review relate to new build housing. The conversion of an existing building is technically more complex than a new build – as the existing configuration of internal walls and structures will influence the spatial dimensions of the new dwelling.
Notwithstanding, any new dwellings created by change of use would be subject to Housing Health and Safety Rating System regulations on space and crowding, as well as aspects of the building regulations including fire safety, sound insulation and energy efficiency.
Asked by: Nick Raynsford (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what research he has undertaken into the effects of the changes introduced in 2010 to Part F of the Building Regulations.
Answered by Stephen Williams
We have not undertaken any research yet into the effects of the 2010 changes to the ventilation provisions in Part F of the Building Regulations, but this is being considered by the Department.
Asked by: Nick Raynsford (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he plans to publish his Department's review of the New Homes Bonus.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
Officials are currently finalising the evaluation report before submitting it to Ministers. The findings of the evaluation will then be published in due course.
Asked by: Nick Raynsford (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he expects to publish his Department's response to the Review of Property Conditions in the Private Rented Sector and a summary of the views submitted in response to that consultation.
Answered by Brandon Lewis
I refer the rt. hon. Member to the answer given on 9 July 2014, Official Report, Column 292W.
Asked by: Nick Raynsford (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of the respondents to his Department's Review of Property conditions in the Private Rented Sector issued in February 2014 supported the mandatory installation of smoke alarms in privately rented housing.
Answered by Kris Hopkins
DCLG published a discussion document earlier this year, which invited views on what more could be done to improve property conditions in the private rented sector. Responses are now being considered and we will publish our response along with a summary of the views submitted later this summer.
Asked by: Nick Raynsford (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, when he expects to publish the findings of the research he commissioned from the University of Sheffield into the New Homes Bonus.
Answered by Kris Hopkins
The Department is undertaking a wider evaluation of the New Homes Bonus; its findings will be published in due course.
Asked by: Nick Raynsford (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Thames Water plc on (a) the change in capacity of the sewerage system in London required in consequence of (i) the Mayor of London's revised draft housing strategy and (ii) the projected change in the population of London by 2050 and (b) the role of the Thames Tideway Tunnel in meeting demand for capacity.
Answered by Dan Rogerson
The Government has not held discussions with Thames Water on the details of the Mayor's revised draft housing strategy or any change in the capacity of London's sewerage systemrequired as a consequence of it. It is for Thames Water to take population changes into account as part of its business planning for the five-yearly price review process with Ofwat.
However, Defra is working closely with Thames Water on enabling construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel. The Tunnel will significantly reduce pollution in the Tidal Thames caused by sewage overflowing into the River Thames from combined sewage overflows when there is significant rainfall. It will also ensure that London's Victorian sewerage system, which is currently close to capacity at certain times of day, is able to meet the needs of the predicted increase in population in central London. This is set out in the economic and strategic case for the Tunnel, which can be viewed at the gov.uk website.
Asked by: Nick Raynsford (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he plans to announce the final allocation of student number controls to alternative providers.
Answered by Lord Willetts
Provisional student numbers for 2014/15 were issued on 20 February 2014. Since then we have considered applications for a higher number and adjusted numbers issued where appropriate on 2 May 2014. However, we cannot confirm final allocations until providers have been re-designated for student support purposes for the 2014/15 academic year.