Oral Answers to Questions

Selaine Saxby Excerpts

Thursday 23rd May 2024 Commons Chamber

The hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked—

[Selaine Saxby (North Devon) (Con)]

3. Whether the Church of England is taking steps to provide affordable and sustainable housing on its land.

[The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Andrew Selous)]

I can tell my hon. Friend that the Church Commissioners are bringing forward substantial new amounts of housing across England, including affordable homes, in accordance with local planning policy in the areas concerned. Where the commissioners are able to, we also seek to go further— for example, through the use of rural exception sites to provide a higher proportion of affordable housing than the local plan requires.

[Selaine Saxby]

I thank my hon. Friend for his response, but given that affordable housing is such a concern across North Devon, can the Church do any more to assist?

[Andrew Selous]

I know what a great champion my hon. Friend is on this issue. Unfortunately, the Church Commissioners themselves do not have any land in North Devon that is being considered for housing at the moment, but I will put her in touch with the diocese of Exeter to see whether it has opportunities in its own land portfolio. As I said, I know what a big issue this is in North Devon, and how important it is for my hon. Friend, who has been working on it passionately, so we will do what we can to help.