Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he will take to ensure (a) an increase in the completion of housing units in City of York Unitary Authority and (b) compliance with obligations in housing allocation figures.

As set out previously, the Government has been examining ways to incentivise the prompt build-out of permitted housing sites and to support councils to act against those who fail to meet these commitments. Through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, we are requiring housing developers to notify local authorities, via a Development Commencement Notice, when they commence development. We will also modernise and streamline existing powers for local authorities to serve completions notices.

The Housing Delivery Test holds local authorities to account for their role in housing delivery and encourages them to take an active role in delivering more homes.

The proposed Government Hub at York Central is progressing through detailed design. A public consultation was held in November 2022.

The Infrastructure Levy will apply to permissions that are granted once a local authority has introduced it in their area. For planning permissions granted prior to this date, the existing system of Section 106 planning obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy will apply.

On community consultation, I refer the Hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 142761 on 23 February 2023.