Written questions by Coghlan.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to integrate the proposals outlined in the English Devolution White Paper with important strategic transport infrastructure such as Gatwick Airport.

The White Paper sets out the comprehensive devolution of local transport functions to strategic authorities in England, including a comprehensive rail devolution offer for the first time. Combined with their new powers over strategic spatial planning, this will empower them to deliver strategic transport infrastructure to deliver growth across England. However, the proposals and Devolution Framework set out in the English Devolution White Paper do not cover aviation policy and would not have any direct impact on the operation of Gatwick Airport.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that her target for new home building is not impacted by local government reorganisation.

This Government has recommitted to delivering 1.5 million homes over this Parliament in our Plan for Change. These targets still apply to councils throughout the process of reorganisation.The potential impact of local government reorganisation on individual areas will be a matter for local councils to consider as they develop their proposals for reorganisation. As set out in the published criteria for proposals, unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens; proposals should show how new structures will improve local government and service delivery and should avoid unnecessary fragmentation of services.

Communities and Local Government, how the prospective unitary authorities will prioritise housing provision.

This Government has recommitted to delivering 1.5 million homes over this Parliament in our Plan for Change. These targets still apply to councils throughout the process of reorganisation.The potential impact of local government reorganisation on individual areas will be a matter for local councils to consider as they develop their proposals for reorganisation. As set out in the published criteria for proposals, unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens; proposals should show how new structures will improve local government and service delivery and should avoid unnecessary fragmentation of services.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her proposed abolition of district and borough councils on housing targets.

This Government has recommitted to delivering 1.5 million homes over this Parliament in our Plan for Change. These targets still apply to councils throughout the process of reorganisation.The potential impact of local government reorganisation on individual areas will be a matter for local councils to consider as they develop their proposals for reorganisation. As set out in the published criteria for proposals, unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens; proposals should show how new structures will improve local government and service delivery and should avoid unnecessary fragmentation of services.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to ensure that town and parish councils are in place prior to the abolition of district and borough councils.

The English Devolution White Paper was clear that we know people value the role of governance at the community scale. All levels of local government have a part to play in bringing improved structures to their area through reorganisation. We will therefore want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood or area level.The power to create and restructure town and parish councils is devolved to principal local authorities, which can review and make changes to local governance arrangements through Community Governance Reviews. In doing so, they are expected to take the views of local people into account.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the ongoing consultation entitled Jointly owned properties, if she will (a) review the interpretation of joint ownership within the Building Safety Act 2022 and (b) amend that Act to ensure equitable treatment of leaseholders.

A call for evidence on jointly owned residential leasehold properties was undertaken by the previous government between Thursday 21 March 2024 to Sunday 7 April 2024. That call for evidence is, therefore, complete. The Government is, however, reviewing how to better protect leaseholders from costs relating to building safety.Currently, two individuals who own all of their properties jointly will be capped at three properties but two individuals who own all or some property individually will be capped at six if they live separately, and five if they live together in one property.Those who jointly own properties will always have their principal residence protected to reflect this position.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring sheltered accommodation and social housing for the elderly are built in a community based setting.

The government recognises that well-designed, suitable housing can help improve the quality of life, health and wellbeing of older people.A range of highly regarded sector-led expert guidance on best practice in the development and design of housing for older people is already available, including the Housing our Ageing Population Innovation Panel (HAPPI) design principles and the Lifetime Homes Standard.This year, the government will publish a long-term housing strategy which will set out our vision for a housing market that works for all age groups, including older people.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that there is adequate provision for affordable social housing for elderly.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 11383 on 31 October 2024.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of her policies on house-building on house prices.

The effects of housing undersupply can be seen in affordability and rent pressures. That is precisely why the government’s Plan for Change includes an ambitious milestone of delivering 1.5 million safe and decent homes in this Parliament and why we remain committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. We continue to review the impacts of our policies on a range of outcomes as they develop.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to discourage landbanking.

The government wants to see homes built faster and we recognise the frustrations that stalled or delayed sites can cause to communities.Once housebuilders have been granted permission for residential development, meeting local housing needs and preferences, we expect to see them built out as quickly as possible.Local planning authorities already have powers to issue a completion notice to require a developer to complete their development if it is stalled. If they fail to do so, the planning permission for the development will lapse.The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December includes policies designed to support increased build out rates, including the promotion of mixed tenure development.In addition, our New Homes Accelerator aims to unblock and accelerate the delivery of housing developments that have for various reasons become delayed, or which are not progressing as quickly as they could be.To enhance transparency and accountability in respect of build out rates, the government intend to take steps to implement build out reporting following technical consultation.We also intend to provide local planning authorities with powers to decline to determine planning applications submitted by developers who have failed to implement previous permissions.