Written questions by Niblett.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on how the Government's planning reforms could support the creation of nature-rich places.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support leaseholders who are unable to sell or re mortgage their homes because mortgage lenders require an EWS1 form, but where the building’s freeholder or managing agent has confirmed that an EWS1 assessment is not required under current Government guidance and therefore refuses to commission one.

An EWS1 form is an industry valuation tool. It is not a government, legal or regulatory requirement, nor is it a safety certificate. Not all lenders ask for an EWS1 as part of their requirements to offer a mortgage, but whether they do remains a commercial decision.Officials in my department continue to work with lenders to encourage them to accept alternative forms of assurance, such as a comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment. As part of the Fire Safety Act 2021 all buildings require an up-to-date Fire Risk Assessment that includes the external wall of the building and building owners are legally responsible for carrying them out. Where an assessment shows remedial works are not needed, there should be no barrier to lending.Since 2022 ten major banks and building societies have committed to consider mortgage applications, even if a property has building safety issues, provided either the building has funding for cladding remediation, or the leaseholder has completed a ‘Leaseholder Deed of Certificate’. An EWS1 form is not required in these cases.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has had discussions with stakeholders on the adequacy of the BREEAM Excellent £2,000,000 threshold, in the context of inflation since it was set.

The Department has not held discussions with stakeholders on this matter.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the decision not to require solar photovoltaic panels on all new residential and commercial buildings from 2026 under the updated building regulations, and what are the reasons for not mandating this measure.

Buildings constructed to the Future Homes and Buildings Standards will be future proofed with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. The consultation for the Future Homes and Buildings Standards had two proposals for the energy performance requirements of new non-domestic buildings, both of which included the use of solar panels. The government has also confirmed that solar panels are expected to be installed in the majority of new homes.

Communities and Local Government, if he will consider introducing legislation to protect residents of new developments when a developer declares bankruptcy leaving developments unfinished.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 76385 on 24 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, if he will consider commissioning a piece of work to review all the existing evidence on the return of funding for parks and green spaces to support central and local government in prioritising funding decisions on parks.

We commissioned Keep Britain Tidy to conduct a rapid evidence review on the returns on investment for parks funding, using a combination of up MHCLG programme budget and underspend from the Green Flag Award. There is substantial evidence outlining the investment benefits of parks and green spaces. However, no research to date has brought this evidence together, therefore MHCLG commissioned this research to assess the return on investment for every £1 of funding provided to parks to achieve these benefits.Researchers conducted a literature review, followed by consulting experts within the parks sector to bring together evidence. The report finds cost savings from investing in parks by reducing healthcare costs, aiding climate change mitigation, boosting local business and reducing crime. For example, the report finds evidence of cost savings between £8.50 and £30.30 for every £1 invested in parks as a result of reducing healthcare costs. The review also addresses the lack of up to date, reliable data. In highlighting this, the report makes a case for further, comparable research projects in this field to be undertaken. This lack of evidence is also a factor affecting the ability of the report to provide specific parks investment recommendations. The report highlights that in addressing these issues surrounding the available evidence, a clearer understanding of the return for every £1 invested in parks can be attained.

Communities and Local Government, what (a) planning policy and (b) precedent prevents (i) land promoters and (ii) developers from materially altering an agreed development layout at a site allocated within a Local Plan review following Regulation (A) 18 and (B) 19 consultations.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that site allocation policies should be deliverable over the plan period. Planning practice guidance states that where sites are proposed for allocation, sufficient detail should be given to provide clarity to developers, local communities and other interested parties about the nature and scale of development. Such details may include policies on site layouts for allocations and would routinely be consulted on as part of the pre-submission consultation (Regulation 19). They may also be consulted on at an earlier stage (Regulation 18). Any alterations to policies made before a plan is submitted for examination may only be made by the relevant local planning authority. Alterations to policies would only be made during the examination of the plan if the independent local plan examiner deems it appropriate, to ensure the plan meets the tests of soundness or to ensure legal compliance.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department issues guidance to local planning authorities on ensuring that public consultation and plan-making processes do not appear (a) biased and (b) predetermined.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that local development plans should be shaped by early, proportionate, and effective engagement between plan-makers and communities, local organisations, and businesses.Regulations under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 require a minimum of two separate public consultations on a local plan. Local planning authorities, as public bodies, should conduct these consultations in an open way, without having a pre-determined view on the outcome. They are legally obliged to have regard to representations received and the Planning Inspectorate independently examines plans before they can be adopted.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of parks and green spaces on communities.

Parks and urban green spaces are important for community cohesion, biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and civic pride. Responsibility for funding, managing and maintaining them lies mainly with local authorities. The government is committed to supporting Local Authorities in developing best practice to look after parks and green spaces. The cornerstone of our support for communities is the government’s Pride in Place Programme, providing up to £5 billion funding and support over 10 years to 244 places. This flagship offer will help build strong, resilient and integrated communities in areas that experience the most entrenched social and economic challenges. This includes opportunities for communities to invest in their local parks and green spaces. We are also committed to maintaining the quality of parks and green spaces through the MHCLG-owned Green Flag Award, which sets the national quality standard. The scheme has helped to transform thousands of parks and green spaces across the country. The government's statutory guidance on local government reorganisation requires that unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens and that unitary structures should enable stronger community engagement and deliver genuine opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment, including parks and green spaces. The government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is also clear that planning policies should set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and design quality of places and make sufficient provision for the conservation and enhancement of the natural, built and historic environment, including green infrastructure.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to protect green spaces and parks as part of the local government review.

Parks and urban green spaces are important for community cohesion, biodiversity, climate change mitigation, and civic pride. Responsibility for funding, managing and maintaining them lies mainly with local authorities. The government is committed to supporting Local Authorities in developing best practice to look after parks and green spaces. The cornerstone of our support for communities is the government’s Pride in Place Programme, providing up to £5 billion funding and support over 10 years to 244 places. This flagship offer will help build strong, resilient and integrated communities in areas that experience the most entrenched social and economic challenges. This includes opportunities for communities to invest in their local parks and green spaces. We are also committed to maintaining the quality of parks and green spaces through the MHCLG-owned Green Flag Award, which sets the national quality standard. The scheme has helped to transform thousands of parks and green spaces across the country. The government's statutory guidance on local government reorganisation requires that unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens and that unitary structures should enable stronger community engagement and deliver genuine opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment, including parks and green spaces. The government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is also clear that planning policies should set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and design quality of places and make sufficient provision for the conservation and enhancement of the natural, built and historic environment, including green infrastructure.

Communities and Local Government, if he will issue guidance on the proportion of new build homes that must be fully accessible to (a) people with limited mobility and (b) wheelchair users.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025.

Communities and Local Government, if he will amend the Localism Act 2011 to allow parish councillors to withhold personal contact details from open publication without the need to show threat.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 75866 on 16 September 2025. We intend to remove the requirement for home addresses to be published when parliamentary time allows. This would apply to all local government members, not just parish councillors.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on sites intended for building that have previously been used as dumps for fly ash.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should ensure that a site is suitable for its proposed use taking account of ground conditions and any risks arising from land instability and contamination. This includes risks arising from natural hazards or former activities such as mining, and any proposals for mitigation including land remediation (as well as potential impacts on the natural environment arising from that remediation). My Department continues to work closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on matters relating to meeting our shared ambition to deliver 1.5 million new homes in this Parliament while improving and protecting the environment.

Communities and Local Government, if the Class F exemption for The Council Tax Exempt Dwelling Order 1992 will be extended to include properties where the conclusion or Final Order has been made on an Inheritance Act 1975 claim and the property is ordered to be vacated.

When a property has been left empty following the death of its owner or occupant, it is exempt from council tax for as long as it remains unoccupied and until probate is granted. Following a grant of probate (or the signing of letters of administration), a further six months exemption is possible, so long as the property remains unoccupied and has not been sold or transferred to someone else.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support people who have purchased a new home and subsequently believe they have been mis sold.

The government expects all housebuilders to deliver good quality homes, and we know that the vast majority do so. When things do go wrong, the government expects housebuilders to make things right.To help customers resolve issues with new homes which developers have been unable or unwilling to fix, the government has committed to establishing a statutory UK-wide New Homes Ombudsman to investigate and resolve complaints and provide new home buyers with effective redress. We will set out further details in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to make (a) solar panels, (b) electric vehicle charging points and (c) battery storage mandatory on new build (i) commercial and (ii) domestic buildings.

The Government is committed to bringing forward the Future Homes and Buildings Standards later this year. These standards will ensure that new homes and buildings are future proofed with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. Solar panels will play a fundamental role in the new standards. We also expect other low carbon technologies, such as batteries, to play a role where appropriate. With regards to electric vehicle charging points, Part S of the Building Regulations came into effect in June 2022. Part S requires new residential and non-residential buildings with associated parking spaces to have electric vehicle charging points.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to (a) abolish and (b) impose a (i) freeze and (ii) maximum cap on increases in service charges for freehold properties.

The government remain committed to protecting residential freeholders on private and mixed-tenure housing estates from unfair chargeWe will consult this year on implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act’s new consumer protection provisions for the up to 1.75m homes that are subject to these charges, and bring these measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter. These include ensuring that homeowners who pay an estate management charge have better access to information they need to understand what they are paying for, the right to challenge the reasonableness at the First-tier Tribunal (in England), and to go to the tribunal to appoint a substitute manager.The government is also determined to end the injustice of ‘fleecehold’ entirely and we will consult next year on legislative and policy options to reduce the prevalence of private estate management arrangements, which are the root cause of the problems experienced by many residential freeholders.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that purchasers are not financially disadvantaged by incorrect EPC certificates.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2012 place a duty on accreditation schemes to ensure that Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are produced in a consistent and accurate manner and the energy assessors are suitably qualified and experienced to carry out their duties. Government regularly audits accreditation scheme to assess whether they are fulfilling their duties and takes action to address any issues found. We have recently consulted on EPC Reforms including proposals to improve the accuracy and reliability of Energy Performance Certificates. This includes reviewing the training standards of energy assessors and strengthening auditing processes to more effectively capture and correct errors. We have also proposed that additional metrics be added to EPCs to provide a broader perspective on building performance, alongside measures to make the underlying data used to calculate these metrics more transparent. This increased transparency will allow any errors to be identified sooner and corrected.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made the adequacy of the number of local authority planning officers in South Derbyshire to help support the Government's wider planning reform ambitions.

While it is for individual local authorities to make their own assessments of their workforce, the government appreciate that planning departments across the country are experiencing challenges with recruitment, retention, and skills gaps and that in many cases these issues are having a negative impact on service delivery.At the Budget, the Chanceller announced a £46 million package of investment into the planning system as a one-year settlement for 2025-2026. A proportion of this funding will be used to support capacity and capability in local planning authorities, including the recruitment and training of 300 graduate and apprentice planners and developing the skills needed to implement reforms and unlock housing delivery.This will be further underpinned by increases in planning fees that will help improve the resourcing of planning application services, so that local planning authorities can fund the skills they need.More broadly, the Department’s established Planning Capacity and Capability programme is also developing a wider programme of support, working with partners across the planning sector, to ensure that local planning authorities have the skills and capacity they need, both now and in the future, to modernise local plans and speed up decision making, including through innovative use of digital planning data and software.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps with local authorities to remove the requirement for households on freehold estates to pay estate management charges, in the context of the New Homes Accelerator Programme.

As set out in my Written Ministerial Statement of 21 November (HCWS244), the government remain committed to protecting residential freeholders on private and mixed-tenure housing estates from unfair charges. Next year we will consult on implementing the Act’s new consumer protection provisions for the up to 1.75m homes that are subject to these charges, and bring these measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter. These include ensuring that homeowners who pay an estate management charge have better access to information they need to understand what they are paying for, the right to challenge the reasonableness at the First-tier Tribunal (in England), and to go to the tribunal to appoint a substitute manager.The New Homes Accelerator is a collaboration between the government, Homes England, the Greater London Authority, local authorities, developers and other key stakeholders. It aims to unblock and accelerate the delivery of housing developments that have for various reasons become delayed, or which are not progressing as quickly as they could be.