Every parliamentary written question tabled by Helen Whately this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–18 of 18 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, when the new consumer protections for residential freeholders contained in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 will be implemented.
I refer the Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 November 2024 (HCWS2440).
Communities and Local Government, when his Department's consultation on legislative and policy options to reduce the prevalence of private estate management arrangements will be published.
I refer the Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 November 2024 (HCWS2440).
Communities and Local Government, for what reasons she has yet to implement the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 on (a) providing freeholders with equivalent rights to leaseholders on estate charges transparency and (b) allowing leaseholders to takeover the management of their property.
I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November (HCWS244),
Communities and Local Government, when she plans to implement the secondary legislation enabling the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to fully come into force.
I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November (HCWS244),
Communities and Local Government, for what reasons she has yet to implement the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 on (a) providing a comprehensive rights of redress to homeowners on (i) private and (ii) mixed tenure estates and (b) the ability to appeal the reasonableness of those charges.
I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November (HCWS244),
Communities and Local Government, when she plans to respond to the independent report entitled Our Future Homes: Housing that promotes wellbeing and community for an ageing population, published on 26 November 2024.
The government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations in the final report of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce.We are committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market and we will continue to consider this issue as we develop our long-term housing strategy, which will be published later this year.
Communities and Local Government, how many hectares of the Best and Most Versatile agricultural land are (a) protected, (b) under consideration for development and (c) approved for consent in each (i) local authority area and (ii) constituency.
I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 17576 11 December 2024.
Communities and Local Government, how the commitment to safeguard the Best and Most Versatile agricultural land will be applied to planning decisions called in by the Secretary of State .
The government places great importance upon our agricultural land and food production.The National Planning Policy Framework sets out how the best and most versatile agricultural land should be reflected in planning policies and decisions. We are maintaining the existing strong protection for the best and most versatile agricultural land. The Framework is clear that where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality.This will, where relevant, be a material consideration in planning decisions, including those made by the Secretary of State.
Communities and Local Government, how she plans to report on the effectiveness of her safeguarding of the Best and Most Versatile agricultural land in line with the National Planning Policy Framework.
This Government places great importance on the value of our agricultural land. The National Planning Policy Framework sets out how the best and most versatile agricultural land should be reflected in planning policies and decisions. The Framework is clear that where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality. How this is applied is a matter for local planning authorities in the first instance, through their plans and decisions.
Communities and Local Government, if she will publish how many hectares of the Best and Most Versatile agricultural land are (a) protected, (b) under consideration for development and (c) approved for consent in each (i) local authority area and (ii) constituency.
The information requested is not held by the Department.
Communities and Local Government, how the commitment to safeguard the Best and Most Versatile agricultural land is applied to planning decisions.
This Government places great importance on the value of our agricultural land. The National Planning Policy Framework sets out how the best and most versatile agricultural land should be reflected in planning policies and decisions. The Framework is clear that where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality. How this is applied is a matter for local planning authorities in the first instance, through their plans and decisions.
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to safeguard the Best and Most Versatile agricultural land.
This Government places great importance on the value of our agricultural land. The National Planning Policy Framework sets out how the best and most versatile agricultural land should be reflected in planning policies and decisions. The Framework is clear that where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality. How this is applied is a matter for local planning authorities in the first instance, through their plans and decisions.
Communities and Local Government, what criteria she uses to call in planning applications before they are discussed by local councillors.
Call-in decisions are inherently about process and not the merits of any given planning application.I refer the hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 26 March 2019 (HCWS1452), and on 26 October 2012, columns 71WS-72WS.All relevant matters relating to the Highsted Park development will now be considered via a public inquiry.
Communities and Local Government, for what reason she called in Highsted Park outline planning applications 21/503906/EIOUT and 21/503914/EIOUT.
Call-in decisions are inherently about process and not the merits of any given planning application.I refer the hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 26 March 2019 (HCWS1452), and on 26 October 2012, columns 71WS-72WS.All relevant matters relating to the Highsted Park development will now be considered via a public inquiry.
Communities and Local Government, how safeguarding the Best and Most Versatile agricultural land will be taken into account when she considers the Highsted Park development.
Call-in decisions are inherently about process and not the merits of any given planning application.I refer the hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 26 March 2019 (HCWS1452), and on 26 October 2012, columns 71WS-72WS.All relevant matters relating to the Highsted Park development will now be considered via a public inquiry.
Communities and Local Government, when she plans to decide on the proposed (a) M2 motorway junction and (b) Highsted Park outline planning applications.
The decision to call in this application was made on the basis of the policy set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 October 2012. In line with the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 March 2019, we do not give specific reasons for calling in planning applications.A public inquiry into the proposals will now take place, overseen by an independent Planning Inspector. Once the inquiry has concluded, the Inspector will prepare a report and recommendation for Ministers. A target date for determining the applications will be set when that report is received in MHCLG.No discussions or meetings have taken place with the developers. Correspondence which outlined the scheme, and requested a meeting, but which did not seek call in of the applications was received. In addition, among a number of written requests to call in these applications, one was received from a project director of the developers, and one from their planning consultants.
Communities and Local Government, for what reason she called in the Highsted Park outline planning applications.
The decision to call in this application was made on the basis of the policy set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 October 2012. In line with the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 March 2019, we do not give specific reasons for calling in planning applications.A public inquiry into the proposals will now take place, overseen by an independent Planning Inspector. Once the inquiry has concluded, the Inspector will prepare a report and recommendation for Ministers. A target date for determining the applications will be set when that report is received in MHCLG.No discussions or meetings have taken place with the developers. Correspondence which outlined the scheme, and requested a meeting, but which did not seek call in of the applications was received. In addition, among a number of written requests to call in these applications, one was received from a project director of the developers, and one from their planning consultants.
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has had discussions with the developers of the Highsted Park outline planning applications.
The decision to call in this application was made on the basis of the policy set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 October 2012. In line with the Written Ministerial Statement of 26 March 2019, we do not give specific reasons for calling in planning applications.A public inquiry into the proposals will now take place, overseen by an independent Planning Inspector. Once the inquiry has concluded, the Inspector will prepare a report and recommendation for Ministers. A target date for determining the applications will be set when that report is received in MHCLG.No discussions or meetings have taken place with the developers. Correspondence which outlined the scheme, and requested a meeting, but which did not seek call in of the applications was received. In addition, among a number of written requests to call in these applications, one was received from a project director of the developers, and one from their planning consultants.