Written questions by Badenoch.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, whether unmet need for traveller sites would constitute grounds for traveller site development in (a) the green belt and (b) open countryside.

Without changing its purposes or general extent, the Government will take a more strategic approach to Green Belt land designation and release, so that we can build more homes in the right places. Land released in the Green Belt will be subject to new “golden rules” to ensure it delivers in the public interest.The Government is currently consulting on a number of reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). These include proposals to release low-quality grey belt land within the Green Belt to meet housing and other development needs. We are seeking views on how the proposals under the NPPF would apply to traveller sites, particularly concerning the sequential test to guide release, the definition of grey belt and previously developed land, and proposals that are considered not to be inappropriate development.The Planning Policy for Traveller Sites sets out that local authorities should produce their own assessment of need and plan to meet this need through their Local Plan.Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance, which they can use to tackle all types of unauthorised development. Our proposals do not impact on these and we will keep the use of them under review.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, whether the proposed changes to traveller planning policy on decision making will be material consideration when a council considers a Temporary Stop Notice.

Without changing its purposes or general extent, the Government will take a more strategic approach to Green Belt land designation and release, so that we can build more homes in the right places. Land released in the Green Belt will be subject to new “golden rules” to ensure it delivers in the public interest.The Government is currently consulting on a number of reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). These include proposals to release low-quality grey belt land within the Green Belt to meet housing and other development needs. We are seeking views on how the proposals under the NPPF would apply to traveller sites, particularly concerning the sequential test to guide release, the definition of grey belt and previously developed land, and proposals that are considered not to be inappropriate development.The Planning Policy for Traveller Sites sets out that local authorities should produce their own assessment of need and plan to meet this need through their Local Plan.Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance, which they can use to tackle all types of unauthorised development. Our proposals do not impact on these and we will keep the use of them under review.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, if the proposed changes to Green Belt policy on traveller sites will be a material consideration for decision-making for (a) planning applications and (b) planning enforcement appeals on unauthorised traveller sites.

Without changing its purposes or general extent, the Government will take a more strategic approach to Green Belt land designation and release, so that we can build more homes in the right places. Land released in the Green Belt will be subject to new “golden rules” to ensure it delivers in the public interest.The Government is currently consulting on a number of reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). These include proposals to release low-quality grey belt land within the Green Belt to meet housing and other development needs. We are seeking views on how the proposals under the NPPF would apply to traveller sites, particularly concerning the sequential test to guide release, the definition of grey belt and previously developed land, and proposals that are considered not to be inappropriate development.The Planning Policy for Traveller Sites sets out that local authorities should produce their own assessment of need and plan to meet this need through their Local Plan.Local planning authorities have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance, which they can use to tackle all types of unauthorised development. Our proposals do not impact on these and we will keep the use of them under review.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written ministerial statement of 30 July 2024 entitled Building the homes we need, HCWS48, if she will publish a list of the numerical reduction in the local housing target over this Parliament as a result of the abolition of the urban uplift in each relevant local authority area.

The proposed changes to local housing need figures for each local authority are set out in the ‘Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system’ consultation documents. These can be found at gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on promoting the use of Local Development Orders by local planning authorities.

Local development orders are an important tool to enable local planning authorities to proactively grant planning permission for specific developments or classes of development.The National Planning Policy Framework encourages local planning authorities to use local development orders for particular areas or categories of development where the impacts would be acceptable, and in particular where this development would promote economic, social or environmental gains for the area.The Planning Advisory Service has also published best practice guidance on the use of local development orders and we encourage local planning authorities to take advantage of this guidance.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release on new towns, published on 31 July 2024, at what time the press release was issued by her Department under embargo to the media; and for what reason the announcement was made online and not to Parliament.

It has always been the Government’s intention to provide an update to the House on the New Towns Taskforce. However, the House was not sitting on 31 July. We will provide an update in the usual manner in due course.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to bring forward secondary legislation on street naming under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing people to vote on changes to the name of their street.

Section 81 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 replaced the previously inconsistent arrangements for the renaming of streets. It enables local authorities to make changes to street names if they determine they command ‘sufficient local support’ and sets an expectation of local engagement prior to any change. The Government intends to monitor the operation of these arrangements with a view to assessing the case for secondary legislation.

Communities and Local Government, how much was spent on (a) communications, (b) stationery and business cards, (c) IT and websites and (d) new signage when her Department changed its name to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) by each item of spend; and whether her Department made an assessment of the potential merits of re-using previous MHCLG signage and materials.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer give to Question UIN 1329 on 31 July 2024.

Communities and Local Government, which of her Department's closed consultations have not received a formal Government response.

No consultations issued by this department since the new government was formed have yet closed. We are committed to responding in a timely manner to all consultations, as a mark of respect to those who take the time to contribute to the development of policy in this way.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to promote integration, in the context of the public disorder in August 2024.

The Government and justice system have taken decisive steps to address the disgraceful violent disorder that was seen in a number of towns and cities in August and we have now seen 1,280 people arrested and over 570 appearances in court which has provided a strong deterrent and demonstrated our determination to keep people safe and restore order.The Government is determined that we now support the recovery of the towns and cities affected, and also invest in community cohesion. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is leading cross-Government efforts to help places recover – working in partnership with communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address deep-seated issues. Alongside this the Home Secretary has ordered a rapid review of extremism to ensure the strongest possible response to ideologies that erode community cohesion and our democracy.

Communities and Local Government, if she will commence the street votes programme through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.

The Government is still reviewing its policy inheritance from the last Government, including in relation to street votes.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the impact of current building regulations on the feasibility of high density, new build, terraced housing in urban areas.

Building Regulations set out the standards to which new homes must be built. They do not prescribe density or form of housing.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's open consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 2 August 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of setting benchmark land values for greenbelt land on land prices.

We will carefully analyse responses to the consultation in question, which is open until 24 September 2024.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to update the guidance note published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, entitled Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance, updated on 10 September 2019.

The Government will continue to keep the ‘Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance’ under review.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to amend the guidance by her Department entitled Selective licensing in the private rented sector: a guide for local authorities, published on 20 June 2023.

The non-statutory guidance in question is currently up to date. The Government will update it should we decide to make any changes to the use of selective licensing.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of re-introducing (a) regional planning guidance and (b) regional spatial strategies.

The Government has not made a recent assessment of the potential merits of re-introducing regional planning guidance or regional spatial strategies.

Communities and Local Government, if she will amend building regulations to allow new homes to be built with openable sash windows.

Whilst there could be some situations where, for safety reasons, designers may choose to restrict window opening, the Building Regulations do not preclude the inclusion of openable sash windows in new homes.

Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on build to rent; and what assessment she has made of the impact of her policies on private rented sector regulation on future investment in the build to rent sector.

This government is supportive of the Build to Rent sector and wants it to grow further. We do not expect our forthcoming Renters’ Rights Bill to have a destabilising effect on the rental market and will continue to work with good landlords and their representative associations throughout implementation.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the number of affordable homes that are being delivered through the Affordable Homes Programme 2016-2023 in London; what the original targets were; and what assessment (a) her Department and (b) Homes England have made of the effectiveness of the Greater London Authority at completing new affordable housing under this programme.

The previous government set a target for the 2016-23 Affordable Homes Programme to deliver around 250,000 affordable homes, including at least 116,000 homes in London. Around 244,000 new housing starts had been delivered by the 2016-23 Affordable Homes Programme by March 2023. In August 2023, the GLA reported that 116,782 homes were started in London from April 2015 to March 2023.

Communities and Local Government, how many affordable homes were delivered through the Affordable Homes Programme in England between 2016 and 2023.

The previous government set a target for the 2016-23 Affordable Homes Programme to deliver around 250,000 affordable homes, including at least 116,000 homes in London. Around 244,000 new housing starts had been delivered by the 2016-23 Affordable Homes Programme by March 2023. In August 2023, the GLA reported that 116,782 homes were started in London from April 2015 to March 2023.