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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has any plans to require housing developers to take into account the risk of structural changes when constructing new homes.

The National Planning Policy Framework (2024) is clear that planning proposals and decisions should ensure that a site is suitable for its proposed use taking account of ground conditions and any risks arising from land instability and contamination, and that adequate site investigation information, prepared by a competent per-son, is available to inform these assessments. Planning Practice Guidance sets out that if land stability could be an issue, developers should seek appropriate technical and environmental expert advice to assess the likely consequences of proposed developments on sites where subsidence, landslides and ground compres-sion is known or suspected.

Developers must demonstrate to a Building Control Body that they meet the functional requirements of the Building Regulations. Part A of the Building Regulations refers to loading, collapse and ground movement. Ground movement caused by swelling, shrinkage or freezing of the subsoil, land-slip or subsidence, as far as can be reasonably foreseen, ought not to impair the stability of the building. Most new build warranties cover damages caused by structural defects for a 10-year term. The terms of warranty should give more detail on what developers would be expected to cover in this timeframe.