Written questions by Dowden.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of permitted development on the number of Houses of Multiple Occupation in Hertsmere constituency.

My Department has made no such an assessment.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the oral contribution from the Leader of the House in response to a question from the Rt hon. Member for Hertsmere on 5 June 2025, Official Report, col 462, how the Renters' Rights Bill will increase the power of local authorities to limit houses in multiple occupancy.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) can play an important part in the housing market, providing relatively low-cost accommodation for rent. Local planning authorities already have powers to limit the proliferation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) through ‘Article 4’ directions. In addition to the manatory licensing of large HMOs, local areas can also choose to require smaller HMOs to be licenced to ensure such properties are safe and well managed, and that the character of local communities are protected. Local authorities have robust powers to ensure landlords of HMOs comply with all relevant regulations. This includes powers to issue civil penalties, prosecute landlords and obtain banning orders. No recent assessments of the potential impacts of increases in demand for HMOs, or of the potential impacts of such increases on specific local communities, have been made. The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces reforms to improve the regulation of private rented sector properties, including HMOs, and drive-up standards within the sector. This includes a Decent Homes Standard and new enforcement powers for local authorities. My Department will continue to engage with local authorities on a range of local issues, including matters relating to HMOs and we will keep the regulation of HMOs under review.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of Houses in Multiple Occupation on local communities.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) can play an important part in the housing market, providing relatively low-cost accommodation for rent. Local planning authorities already have powers to limit the proliferation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) through ‘Article 4’ directions. In addition to the manatory licensing of large HMOs, local areas can also choose to require smaller HMOs to be licenced to ensure such properties are safe and well managed, and that the character of local communities are protected. Local authorities have robust powers to ensure landlords of HMOs comply with all relevant regulations. This includes powers to issue civil penalties, prosecute landlords and obtain banning orders. No recent assessments of the potential impacts of increases in demand for HMOs, or of the potential impacts of such increases on specific local communities, have been made. The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces reforms to improve the regulation of private rented sector properties, including HMOs, and drive-up standards within the sector. This includes a Decent Homes Standard and new enforcement powers for local authorities. My Department will continue to engage with local authorities on a range of local issues, including matters relating to HMOs and we will keep the regulation of HMOs under review.

Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions her Department has had with Hertsmere Borough Council on houses in multiple occupation.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) can play an important part in the housing market, providing relatively low-cost accommodation for rent. Local planning authorities already have powers to limit the proliferation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) through ‘Article 4’ directions. In addition to the manatory licensing of large HMOs, local areas can also choose to require smaller HMOs to be licenced to ensure such properties are safe and well managed, and that the character of local communities are protected. Local authorities have robust powers to ensure landlords of HMOs comply with all relevant regulations. This includes powers to issue civil penalties, prosecute landlords and obtain banning orders. No recent assessments of the potential impacts of increases in demand for HMOs, or of the potential impacts of such increases on specific local communities, have been made. The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces reforms to improve the regulation of private rented sector properties, including HMOs, and drive-up standards within the sector. This includes a Decent Homes Standard and new enforcement powers for local authorities. My Department will continue to engage with local authorities on a range of local issues, including matters relating to HMOs and we will keep the regulation of HMOs under review.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in demand for houses in multiple occupation accommodation on (a) England and (b) Hertsmere.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) can play an important part in the housing market, providing relatively low-cost accommodation for rent. Local planning authorities already have powers to limit the proliferation of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) through ‘Article 4’ directions. In addition to the manatory licensing of large HMOs, local areas can also choose to require smaller HMOs to be licenced to ensure such properties are safe and well managed, and that the character of local communities are protected. Local authorities have robust powers to ensure landlords of HMOs comply with all relevant regulations. This includes powers to issue civil penalties, prosecute landlords and obtain banning orders. No recent assessments of the potential impacts of increases in demand for HMOs, or of the potential impacts of such increases on specific local communities, have been made. The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces reforms to improve the regulation of private rented sector properties, including HMOs, and drive-up standards within the sector. This includes a Decent Homes Standard and new enforcement powers for local authorities. My Department will continue to engage with local authorities on a range of local issues, including matters relating to HMOs and we will keep the regulation of HMOs under review.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 143 of the National Planning Policy Framework, if she will ensure that grey belt land is assessed against the five green belt purposes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 39471 on 26 March 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with Hertsmere Borough Council on protecting the green belt.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework was published on 12 December 2024, following extensive consultation, including with local planning authorities.I otherwise refer the hon. Members to the answers given to questions UIN 26508 on 5 February 2025, UIN 29375 on 18 February 2025, UIN 40156 on 26 March 2025 and UIN 43157 on 7 April 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with local authorities on consistency in local planning decisions.

A key objective of our planning reforms is to improve certainty and decision making in the planning system. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes provisions to that end, including a national scheme of delegation and requiring planning committee members to undertake mandatory training before they can take planning decisions. Planning law requires local planning authorities to publicise planning applications through various means, including site notices, advertisements in local newspapers, and publishing information on their website. We are exploring ways to enhance community engagement through the greater digitalisation of the planning system. This will help remove barriers to participation in the planning application process, including among those in representative community groups.

Communities and Local Government, whether local plans will need to be updated following local government reorganisation.

Where reorganisation occurs, new unitary authorities are expected to promptly prepare a local development plan covering the whole of their area. Until that new plan is adopted, existing constituent local plans remain in force as part of the development plan for their area. New unitary authorities have the discretion to progress any emerging constituent local plans.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement entitled Building the Homes We Need, of 30 July 2024, HCWS48, what steps she has taken to ensure local authorities are reviewing their green-belt boundaries where they cannot meet their identified housing need.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework was published on 12 December 2024, following extensive consultation, including with local planning authorities.I otherwise refer the hon. Members to the answers given to questions UIN 26508 on 5 February 2025, UIN 29375 on 18 February 2025, UIN 40156 on 26 March 2025 and UIN 43157 on 7 April 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with local authorities on the revised NPPF.

MHCLG Ministers and officials engage regularly with local planning authorities to ensure the government’s priorities are understood.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will formalise the role of representative community groups in local planning decisions.

A key objective of our planning reforms is to improve certainty and decision making in the planning system. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes provisions to that end, including a national scheme of delegation and requiring planning committee members to undertake mandatory training before they can take planning decisions. Planning law requires local planning authorities to publicise planning applications through various means, including site notices, advertisements in local newspapers, and publishing information on their website. We are exploring ways to enhance community engagement through the greater digitalisation of the planning system. This will help remove barriers to participation in the planning application process, including among those in representative community groups.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with Hertsmere Borough Council on local planning decisions.

Officials from my Department have had recent discussions with Hertsmere Borough Council regarding the fact it did not meet the required performance threshold for decision-making quality during the assessment period from April 2022 to March 2024, including appeals decisions up to December 2024. Hertsmere Borough Council were informed of the risk of designation on 27 March 2025. However, after considering the authority’s exceptional circumstances, the Department confirmed on 6 June 2025 that it would not be designated.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement entitled Building the Homes We Need, of 30 July 2024, HCWS48, what steps she has taken to ensure that development on the green belt will offer at least 50 per cent affordable homes.

Through the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system last year, the government sought views on implementing ‘Golden Rules’ to ensure development in the Green Belt is in the public interest. As set out in the formal response to the consultation published on 12 December 2024, we noted concerns that setting a national 50% affordable housing target could lack flexibility and fail to account properly for regional variation. The government has adopted an approach which balances the need for an ambitious affordable housing target with the viability challenges that may occur in some cases. Local planning authorities will be able to set their own ‘Golden Rules’ in relation to affordable housing through their new local plans. The affordable housing requirement should: a) be set at a higher level than that which would otherwise apply to land which is not within or proposed to be released from the Green Belt; and b) require at least 50% of the housing to be affordable, unless this would make the development of these sites unviable (when tested in accordance with national planning practice guidance on viability). Prior to development plan policies for affordable housing being updated in accordance with the revised NPPF, the affordable housing contribution required to satisfy the ‘Golden Rules’ is 15 percentage points above the highest existing affordable housing requirement that would otherwise apply to the development, subject to a cap of 50%. The 50% cap does not apply to rural exception sites or community-led development exception sites, or if the local planning authority has a relevant existing policy which would apply to the development which is above 50%. We estimate that under this model, the median Green Belt local planning authority affordable housing requirement will be 50%. The government intends to update planning practice guidance on viability as part of our commitment to strengthen the system of developer contributions. Prior to new viability guidance being published, site specific viability assessment should not be used on schemes where the ‘Golden Rules’ apply.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with local authorities on applying the Golden Rules in local planning decisions.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December 2024 includes ‘Golden Rules’ for major development involving the provision of housing on land that is situated within, or released from, the Green Belt. The NPPF must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and is a material consideration in planning decisions. On 27 February 2025, my Department published updated planning practice guidance on the Green Belt which sets out how local planning authorities should apply the new ‘Golden Rule’ on green space provision, including how they should consider accessibility, quality, and alignment with Local Nature Recovery Strategies. The government has a variety of ways to assess the impacts of, and interactions between, policy changes. These include consultation processes and the publishing of a range of metrics to monitor the impacts of changes. The government monitors and publishes data on planning permissions granted, quarterly data on starts and completions, and annual statistics showing the extent of England’s Green Belt, including changes resulting from land being released from, or added to, the Green Belt. We also continuously engage with the planning sector, including local planning authorities, to understand the impact of our policy changes. This includes the implementation and effect of the Golden Rules.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of local authorities in upholding the Golden Rules under the revised NPPF.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December 2024 includes ‘Golden Rules’ for major development involving the provision of housing on land that is situated within, or released from, the Green Belt. The NPPF must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and is a material consideration in planning decisions. On 27 February 2025, my Department published updated planning practice guidance on the Green Belt which sets out how local planning authorities should apply the new ‘Golden Rule’ on green space provision, including how they should consider accessibility, quality, and alignment with Local Nature Recovery Strategies. The government has a variety of ways to assess the impacts of, and interactions between, policy changes. These include consultation processes and the publishing of a range of metrics to monitor the impacts of changes. The government monitors and publishes data on planning permissions granted, quarterly data on starts and completions, and annual statistics showing the extent of England’s Green Belt, including changes resulting from land being released from, or added to, the Green Belt. We also continuously engage with the planning sector, including local planning authorities, to understand the impact of our policy changes. This includes the implementation and effect of the Golden Rules.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take if local authorities do not comply with the (a) Golden Rules and (b) revised NPPF in local planning decisions.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December 2024 includes ‘Golden Rules’ for major development involving the provision of housing on land that is situated within, or released from, the Green Belt. The NPPF must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and is a material consideration in planning decisions. On 27 February 2025, my Department published updated planning practice guidance on the Green Belt which sets out how local planning authorities should apply the new ‘Golden Rule’ on green space provision, including how they should consider accessibility, quality, and alignment with Local Nature Recovery Strategies. The government has a variety of ways to assess the impacts of, and interactions between, policy changes. These include consultation processes and the publishing of a range of metrics to monitor the impacts of changes. The government monitors and publishes data on planning permissions granted, quarterly data on starts and completions, and annual statistics showing the extent of England’s Green Belt, including changes resulting from land being released from, or added to, the Green Belt. We also continuously engage with the planning sector, including local planning authorities, to understand the impact of our policy changes. This includes the implementation and effect of the Golden Rules.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will bring in further guidance on how local authorities can uphold the Golden Rules in local planning decisions.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December 2024 includes ‘Golden Rules’ for major development involving the provision of housing on land that is situated within, or released from, the Green Belt. The NPPF must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and is a material consideration in planning decisions. On 27 February 2025, my Department published updated planning practice guidance on the Green Belt which sets out how local planning authorities should apply the new ‘Golden Rule’ on green space provision, including how they should consider accessibility, quality, and alignment with Local Nature Recovery Strategies. The government has a variety of ways to assess the impacts of, and interactions between, policy changes. These include consultation processes and the publishing of a range of metrics to monitor the impacts of changes. The government monitors and publishes data on planning permissions granted, quarterly data on starts and completions, and annual statistics showing the extent of England’s Green Belt, including changes resulting from land being released from, or added to, the Green Belt. We also continuously engage with the planning sector, including local planning authorities, to understand the impact of our policy changes. This includes the implementation and effect of the Golden Rules.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with Hertsmere Borough Council on the application of the Golden Rules in local planning decisions.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December 2024 includes ‘Golden Rules’ for major development involving the provision of housing on land that is situated within, or released from, the Green Belt. The NPPF must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and is a material consideration in planning decisions. On 27 February 2025, my Department published updated planning practice guidance on the Green Belt which sets out how local planning authorities should apply the new ‘Golden Rule’ on green space provision, including how they should consider accessibility, quality, and alignment with Local Nature Recovery Strategies. The government has a variety of ways to assess the impacts of, and interactions between, policy changes. These include consultation processes and the publishing of a range of metrics to monitor the impacts of changes. The government monitors and publishes data on planning permissions granted, quarterly data on starts and completions, and annual statistics showing the extent of England’s Green Belt, including changes resulting from land being released from, or added to, the Green Belt. We also continuously engage with the planning sector, including local planning authorities, to understand the impact of our policy changes. This includes the implementation and effect of the Golden Rules.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the English Devolution White Paper, CP 1218, published on 16 December 2024, what steps she is taking to ensure local identity is respected in local government reorganisation.

I wrote to all councils in two-tier areas and to neighbouring small unitaries on 5th February to formally invite unitary proposals from all these councils. The invitation includes guidance on issues of local identity among other matters, all of which will be relevant to decisions between alternative local government reorganisation proposals for one area.