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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the use of vacant building credit in delivering new residential homes; and if he will make a statement.

This Government continues to seek prioritisation of brownfield land for development. The Vacant Building Credit policy applies to section 106 affordable housing contributions and was introduced to incentivise brownfield development including the reuse or redevelopment of empty and redundant buildings. A similar provision applies in respect of the Community Infrastructure Levy.

The Government commissioned a review of the levy in November 2015, which covered a wide range of issues including the relationship between the levy and section 106.

The review group submitted their report in October. The Government is currently reviewing the recommendations and further announcements will be made in due course.