Speeches by Fahnbulleh.

“Clause 34 introduces schedule 15, which contains provisions to enable strategic authorities outside London to undertake their housing and strategic planning competences. These standardise the extension of powers relating to the acquisition and use of land currently held by Homes England and local authorities to strateg…”

“I beg to move amendment 109, in schedule 15, page 173, line 7, leave out paragraph (a) and insert— “(a) in subsection (1), after ‘HCA’ insert ‘or a strategic authority outside London’; (aa) in subsection (2), after ‘HCA’ insert ‘or a strategic authority outside London’;” This would alter the amendment of section 9(2) s…”

“The Bill gives the Greater London Authority, as well as other strategic authorities, the powers of Homes England to acquire land both by agreement and by compulsory purchase. Government amendments 109 to 111 change that, ensuring that the power is conferred only on strategic authorities outside London. This is because …”

“I beg to move amendment 112, in schedule 15, page 173, line 30, leave out “authorities” and insert “councils”. This would change the provision to use the correct term “constituent council”.”

“These amendments make a series of technical corrections to ensure that the Bill uses the correct terminology. They replace the word “authority” or “authorities” with “council” or “councils” in several places in schedules 15 and 16. The change is important because the term “constituent council” or “councils” is the defi…”

“These amendments add the Broads Authority to the list of bodies that must be consulted by mayoral strategic authorities or provide their consent to non-mayoral strategic authorities before land in its area is compulsorily acquired using powers devolved by the Bill. The broads are a nationally important landscape with e…”

“I beg to move amendment 122, in schedule 15, page 174, line 15, after “council” insert “that is a strategic authority”. This would clarify that subsection (8) applies to a county council only if it is a strategic authority (in line with the application provision in subsection (1) of the new section 9A).”

“These amendments are, again, about making the legislation clearer and more consistent. They confirm that only councils that are strategic authorities are subject to the additional consent requirements when using the compulsory purchase powers in the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008. This matches what was already set o…”

“I beg to move amendment 126, in schedule 15, page 174, line 29, at end insert— “Main powers in relation to acquired land 6A In section 11, omit ‘by the HCA’.” This would reflect the effect of the Bill on Schedule 3 to the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008. This technical amendment again ensures consistency in how the B…”

“I beg to move amendment 129, in schedule 15, page 179, line 34, leave out from “(6)” to end of line 4 on page 180 and insert— “(a) in paragraph (bb), omit ‘and’; (b) after paragraph (c) insert— ‘(d) if the land is in the area of a strategic authority to whom this section applies, consult with that strategic authority (…”

“I beg to move amendment 141, in schedule 15, page 181, line 10, leave out “combined authority or” and insert “non-mayoral combined authority or non-mayoral”. Mayoral combined authorities and CCAs do not need to be added to this section as they are already within the definition of “local authority” in section 336 of the…”

“These amendments make a small but important clarification to part 2 of schedule 15. They ensure that the provisions explicitly insert only references to non-mayoral combined authorities and non-mayoral combined county authorities. This is because mayoral combined authorities and mayoral combined county authorities alre…”

“Housing is a national priority for this Government, and these provisions play an important role in enabling strategic authorities to contribute meaningfully to this core mission. This is particularly true where regional leadership is needed to unlock delivery. These provisions enable strategic authorities to assess hou…”

“It would be remiss of me not to address some of the issues in London. We recognise that we have a housing challenge in London and across the country. I suggest that the hon. Member show a little more humility, because the consequences are the legacy of the Conservative party. He did not mention that the Conservatives i…”

“If we look at a graph, we see that housing starts plummeted in 2023. I do not know whether the hon. Member wants to remind the Committee who was in power at that time—it was the Conservative party. We are trying to accelerate housing development, and we have a 1.5 million target that we are committed to delivering. Tha…”

“The clause grants mayors of strategic authorities outside London the power to create mayoral development corporations. They are another tool for mayors to enable regional regeneration and economic development. Stripping away these provisions would limit regional ambition. The clause gives effect to schedule 17, allowin…”

“I understand the intent behind the amendment. Mayoral development corporations are already subject to the national planning policy framework, which reflects the brownfield-first approach that the hon. Member has talked about, encourages densification where it makes sense and includes strong protections for greenfield l…”

“I am happy to provide reassurance in writing.”

“I recognise the hon. Member’s intention to strengthen the voice of local councillors in the decision making of mayoral development corporations in their areas, and I support that intent. The Bill will introduce a requirement on mayors outside London to appoint at least one elected member from each council in which the …”

“Schedule 17 equips mayors with the tools they need to drive the critical function that we are asking them to. Mandatory consultation with councils where development corporations are proposed ensures transparency and collaboration. Preserving these provisions strengthens our devolution framework, enabling regions to tak…”