Written questions by Dowden.

Communities and Local Government, whether the New Towns Taskforce has undertaken a consultation on the proposed new town at Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield with Hertfordshire County Council.

The government tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them. On 28 September 2025, the government published the independent New Towns Taskforce report as well as its initial response to that report. Both can be found on gov.uk here. On 23 March 2026, the government launched a public consultation on the proposed New Towns Programme and its environmental implications. This can be found on gov.uk here. The consultation makes clear that the government intend to take forward seven locations as part of the Programme, including a site at Crews Hill and Chase Park. Following the consultation and completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessments, the government intends to publish final proposals and confirm the new towns locations later in the Summer. We will publish a full government response to the recommendations of the New Towns Taskforce, including more detail on how our confirmed locations will be delivered in line with our ambition for the programme.

Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities have introduced Article 4 directions to restrict the number of houses in multiple occupation.

Since 1 January 2023, 45 local planning authorities have notified the Secretary of State of ‘Article 4’ Directions removing permitted development rights in relation to Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on funding for accessibility improvements at railway stations from Section 106 agreements.

My Department engages regularly with the Department for Transport on a range of issues. Alongside highways contributions and the Community Infrastructure Levy, Section 106 agreements are a well-established mechanism for making development acceptable in planning terms. Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals to support development in sustainable locations, including around train stations, and to increase certainty in respect of planning obligations. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with local planning authorities on efficiently preparing Article 4 directions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for houses in multiple occupation.

The procedure for Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to make an Article 4 direction is laid out in Schedule 3 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, which is available on gov.uk here. Additional guidance can be found in the “When is permission required?” Planning Practice Guidance, which is available on gov.uk here. My Department engages with LPAs in respect of Article 4 directions on an ongoing basis.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2026 to Question 111727, for what reason his Department has not introduced a definition of large built-up area, town, historic town or village.

The government’s Green Belt policies as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) make reference to large built-up areas, as well as towns and historic towns. These are established terms with the Framework. We have not introduced prescriptive definitions of these terms, and their interpretation remains a matter for planning judgement informed by national policy and associated guidance. Our updated Green Belt guidance, published on 27 February 2025, sets out detailed considerations to ensure a consistent approach to the identification of grey belt land. Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the NPPF. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included questions on Green Belt policy. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether the New Towns Taskforce has undertaken a consultation on the proposed new town at Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.

The government tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them. On 28 September 2025, the government published the independent New Towns Taskforce report as well as its initial response to that report. Both can be found on gov.uk here. On 23 March 2026, the government launched a public consultation on the proposed New Towns Programme and its environmental implications. This can be found on gov.uk here. The consultation makes clear that the government intend to take forward seven locations as part of the Programme, including a site at Crews Hill and Chase Park. Following the consultation and completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessments, the government intends to publish final proposals and confirm the new towns locations later in the Summer. We will publish a full government response to the recommendations of the New Towns Taskforce, including more detail on how our confirmed locations will be delivered in line with our ambition for the programme.

Communities and Local Government, whether the New Towns Taskforce has undertaken a consultation on the proposed new town at Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield.

The government tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them. On 28 September 2025, the government published the independent New Towns Taskforce report as well as its initial response to that report. Both can be found on gov.uk here. On 23 March 2026, the government launched a public consultation on the proposed New Towns Programme and its environmental implications. This can be found on gov.uk here. The consultation makes clear that the government intend to take forward seven locations as part of the Programme, including a site at Crews Hill and Chase Park. Following the consultation and completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessments, the government intends to publish final proposals and confirm the new towns locations later in the Summer. We will publish a full government response to the recommendations of the New Towns Taskforce, including more detail on how our confirmed locations will be delivered in line with our ambition for the programme.

Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of data centre developments have been granted consent by local planning authorities on green belt land since July 2024.

My Department does not hold the information requested.Although it collects and publishes quarterly planning application statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, it does not collect separate figures on data centre developments that have been granted planning permission.

Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of data centre developments have been granted consent by local planning authorities since July 2024.

My Department does not hold the information requested.Although it collects and publishes quarterly planning application statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, it does not collect separate figures on data centre developments that have been granted planning permission.

Communities and Local Government, whether he collects data on the number of data centre developments that have been granted consent by local planning authorities.

My Department does not hold the information requested.Although it collects and publishes quarterly planning application statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, it does not collect separate figures on data centre developments that have been granted planning permission.

Communities and Local Government, how many data centre developments have been granted consent under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime.

To date, no data centres have been granted consent under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure tenants living in Clarion Housing properties have adequate and safe homes.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283).

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure tenants living in Clarion Housing properties have issues resolved in an adequate and timely manner.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283).

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to raise the standards of rented properties in Hertsmere.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 115497 on 4 March 2026 and to the Written Ministerial Statement on 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283).

Communities and Local Government, how many homes his Department plans to build on brownfield land.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84470 on 30 October 2025.

Communities and Local Government, how many "Grey Belt" planning applications have been approved on appeal against the wishes of the local planning authority since the publication of the revised NPPF in December 2024.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 and the Green Belt guidance updated on 27 February 2025 do not introduce a definition of large-built up area, town, historic town or village. In the absence of an up-to-date local plan, there is a high likelihood that development will come forward on a piecemeal and speculative basis, with reduced public engagement and fewer guarantees that it will make the most of an area's potential. It is for these reasons that the government has been clear that we intend to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible with a view to achieving universal local plan coverage. My Department does not collect data on the number of grey belt planning applications approved on appeal. The amount of land designated as Green Belt in England can be found on gov.uk here and the proportion of new homes built on Green Belt land can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has conducted an assessment of the potential for "Grey Belt" designations to encourage speculative planning applications on land in an area that does not have an up-to-date Local Plan.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 and the Green Belt guidance updated on 27 February 2025 do not introduce a definition of large-built up area, town, historic town or village. In the absence of an up-to-date local plan, there is a high likelihood that development will come forward on a piecemeal and speculative basis, with reduced public engagement and fewer guarantees that it will make the most of an area's potential. It is for these reasons that the government has been clear that we intend to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible with a view to achieving universal local plan coverage. My Department does not collect data on the number of grey belt planning applications approved on appeal. The amount of land designated as Green Belt in England can be found on gov.uk here and the proportion of new homes built on Green Belt land can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Planning Practice Guidance on the Green Belt, how the Department defines (a) large built-up areas, (b) towns and (c) historic towns.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 and the Green Belt guidance updated on 27 February 2025 do not introduce a definition of large-built up area, town, historic town or village. In the absence of an up-to-date local plan, there is a high likelihood that development will come forward on a piecemeal and speculative basis, with reduced public engagement and fewer guarantees that it will make the most of an area's potential. It is for these reasons that the government has been clear that we intend to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible with a view to achieving universal local plan coverage. My Department does not collect data on the number of grey belt planning applications approved on appeal. The amount of land designated as Green Belt in England can be found on gov.uk here and the proportion of new homes built on Green Belt land can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, if he will provide the evidence base used to determine that 800m is the appropriate radius for station-based Green Belt release.

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The draft NPPF includes policies that would allow for suitable development (including housing and mixed-use) around railway stations offering high levels of connectivity, recognising these as relatively sustainable locations. It makes clear that such development should be limited to land physically well-related to the station and within reasonable walking distance of it. Reasonable walking distance is not quantified in the consultation document itself but following the Oral Statement I made on 16 December 2025 I referenced 800 metres (approximately 10 minutes at moderate walking speed) as the government’s working assumption of how it might be defined. The consultation seeks views on all aspects of the policy, including how reasonable walking distance should be defined. It is available on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to protect local democracy when changing the referral criteria to require Local Planning Authorities to notify the Department where they intend to refuse an application for 150 homes or more.

The power to call in planning applications is a long-established one. Decisions on call-in are a question of jurisdiction and not a view on the merits of any given application. The policy on call in, as set out in a Written Ministerial Statement of 26 October 2012, is unchanged. The proposed requirement for Local Planning Authorities to refer additional applications will not mean that all such applications will be called in. All decisions on planning applications, whether called in or not, are made in line with the development plan for an area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.