Written questions by Morello.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with Natural Landscapes on their role in planning consultations in relation to new housing developments.

The government is clear that the bar for being a statutory consultee in the planning system, and therefore having to be consulted on planning applications by law, should be high. In January 2025 the government declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth. Further details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510). The government has not had discussions with Natural Landscapes about their engagement with the planning system.

Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a statutory duty to consult Natural Landscapes on all development proposals.

The government is clear that the bar for being a statutory consultee in the planning system, and therefore having to be consulted on planning applications by law, should be high. In January 2025 the government declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth. Further details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510). The government has not had discussions with Natural Landscapes about their engagement with the planning system.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to require Natural Landscapes to be statutory consultees for housing developments in (a) all areas with high levels of natural landscapes and (b) West Dorset constituency.

The government is clear that the bar for being a statutory consultee in the planning system, and therefore having to be consulted on planning applications by law, should be high. In January 2025 the government declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth. Further details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510). The government has not had discussions with Natural Landscapes about their engagement with the planning system.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of making Natural Landscapes statutory consultees in the housing planning system.

The government is clear that the bar for being a statutory consultee in the planning system, and therefore having to be consulted on planning applications by law, should be high. In January 2025 the government declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth. Further details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510). The government has not had discussions with Natural Landscapes about their engagement with the planning system.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with Dorset Council on brownfield site development in West Dorset constituency.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including the development of under-utilised land and buildings to meet the need for homes and other uses. Through the revisions made to the NPPF on 12 December 2024 we broadened the definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and made clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas. On 22 September 2024, the government published a ‘brownfield passport’ working paper inviting views on how we might further prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land. This included exploring the role of national policy in setting minimum density expectations for certain types of locations, to support intensification in the right places. Utilising the feedback provided, we intend to consult this year on a new suite of national policies for decision making that will give effect to these proposals. No brownfield land and infrastructure remediation funding is currently available in West Dorset. However, on 18 June 2025 my Department announced £5 billion of new capital grant funding for infrastructure and land. This funding will be administered by the new National Housing Delivery Fund, through which councils will be able to secure funding for prospective projects, to contribute to the Government’s priority of delivering 1.5 million homes.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to provide additional funding to support brownfield site development in West Dorset constituency.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including the development of under-utilised land and buildings to meet the need for homes and other uses. Through the revisions made to the NPPF on 12 December 2024 we broadened the definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and made clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas. On 22 September 2024, the government published a ‘brownfield passport’ working paper inviting views on how we might further prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land. This included exploring the role of national policy in setting minimum density expectations for certain types of locations, to support intensification in the right places. Utilising the feedback provided, we intend to consult this year on a new suite of national policies for decision making that will give effect to these proposals. No brownfield land and infrastructure remediation funding is currently available in West Dorset. However, on 18 June 2025 my Department announced £5 billion of new capital grant funding for infrastructure and land. This funding will be administered by the new National Housing Delivery Fund, through which councils will be able to secure funding for prospective projects, to contribute to the Government’s priority of delivering 1.5 million homes.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to encourage developers to build housing on brownfield sites in West Dorset constituency.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including the development of under-utilised land and buildings to meet the need for homes and other uses. Through the revisions made to the NPPF on 12 December 2024 we broadened the definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and made clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas. On 22 September 2024, the government published a ‘brownfield passport’ working paper inviting views on how we might further prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land. This included exploring the role of national policy in setting minimum density expectations for certain types of locations, to support intensification in the right places. Utilising the feedback provided, we intend to consult this year on a new suite of national policies for decision making that will give effect to these proposals. No brownfield land and infrastructure remediation funding is currently available in West Dorset. However, on 18 June 2025 my Department announced £5 billion of new capital grant funding for infrastructure and land. This funding will be administered by the new National Housing Delivery Fund, through which councils will be able to secure funding for prospective projects, to contribute to the Government’s priority of delivering 1.5 million homes.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the withdrawal of passporting to full Council Tax support for legacy benefit recipients on low-income households.

Councils are required to provide a Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme to support low-income households. Support for working age households, including the treatment of benefits, is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Each year, councils must consider whether to revise or replace their scheme. For pension age households, councils administer a centrally prescribed LCTS scheme, which is reviewed annually. The Department for Work and Pensions provides data to councils for use in the administration of LCTS schemes in order to determine eligibility.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that people who automatically qualified for full Council Tax Support under legacy benefits will continue to receive support under revised local support schemes.

Councils are required to provide a Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme to support low-income households. Support for working age households, including the treatment of benefits, is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Each year, councils must consider whether to revise or replace their scheme. For pension age households, councils administer a centrally prescribed LCTS scheme, which is reviewed annually. The Department for Work and Pensions provides data to councils for use in the administration of LCTS schemes in order to determine eligibility.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had recent discussions with (a) Dorset Council and (b) other local authorities on the treatment of legacy benefit claimants in Council Tax support schemes.

Councils are required to provide a Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme to support low-income households. Support for working age households, including the treatment of benefits, is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Each year, councils must consider whether to revise or replace their scheme. For pension age households, councils administer a centrally prescribed LCTS scheme, which is reviewed annually. The Department for Work and Pensions provides data to councils for use in the administration of LCTS schemes in order to determine eligibility.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to strengthen Section 157 of the Housing Act 1985 to prevent its circumvention through legal or administrative loopholes.

In November 2024, the government consulted on further reforms to the Right to Buy.A formal response to that consultation was published on 2 July 2025 and can be found on gov.uk here.As part of that response, the government noted arguments put forward by local authorities and their representative groups to exempt properties in rural areas or areas with populations of 3,000 or less.We will explore whether changes should be made to Section 157 of the Housing Act 1985 to better protect social and affordable housing in rural communities.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to assess the potential merits of extending UK Shared Prosperity Fund support since the spending review.

The government is introducing a new, targeted approach to support regional growth, tackle deprivation, and restore pride to communities. Following March 2026, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will end and will be replaced by the local growth fund for specific city regions in England, and communities funding, including the Plan for Neighbourhoods.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support local authorities in delivering UK Shared Prosperity Fund programmes effectively in rural constituencies.

UKSPF provides a total of £3.5 billion of funding for local investment over four years (2022-26), with all places in the UK receiving an allocation via a funding formula. The Fund has a light-touch delegated delivery model that empowers local authorities to deliver interventions in line with their local priorities, including rural area priorities. We also administer the Rural England Prosperity Fund via UKSPF (2023-26). It supports activities that specifically address the particular challenges rural areas face. It is complementary to funding used to support rural areas under the UKSPF.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations to Dorset.

UKSPF provides a total of £3.5 billion of funding for local investment over four years (2022-26), with all places in the UK receiving an allocation via a funding formula. Dorset Council received £6.01 million (including a £1.58 million Multiply allocation) across 2022-25 and a further £1.45 million of UKSPF funding for 2025-26 to deliver interventions in line with their local priorities.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to introduce transitional protection for people who are no longer eligible for full Council Tax support following changes to the assessment of legacy benefit recipients in West Dorset constituency.

Councils are required to provide a Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme to support low-income households. Support for working age households, including the treatment of benefits, is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Each year, councils must consider whether to revise or replace their scheme.For pension age households, councils administer a centrally prescribed LCTS scheme.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to increase the supply of specialist supported housing for vulnerable older residents in West Dorset constituency.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 61360 on 30 June 2025 and UIN 59968 on 23 June 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what recent steps her Department has taken to promote early-stage retirement housing in national planning guidance.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 61360 on 30 June 2025, UIN 59953 on 23 June 2025, UIN 61666 on 30 June 2025, and UIN 40972 on 1 April 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to encourage developers to build more adaptable homes for older people in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) other rural areas.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 61360 on 30 June 2025, UIN 59953 on 23 June 2025, UIN 61666 on 30 June 2025, and UIN 40972 on 1 April 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions she has had with housing associations on supporting downsizing for older tenants.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 61360 on 30 June 2025 and UIN 59968 on 23 June 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of downsizing support schemes on the availability of larger family homes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 61360 on 30 June 2025 and UIN 59968 on 23 June 2025.