Written questions by Paffey.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the role of the mitigation hierarchy of (a) avoidance, (b) mitigation and (c) compensation in ensuring ecological protections (i) during the planning process and (ii) following the approval of new developments.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that when determining planning applications, local planning authorities should apply the principle that if significant harm to biodiversity resulting from a development cannot be avoided, adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused.Any mitigation or compensation would be set out in the planning conditions and obligations associated with the planning permission, enabling local planning authorities to monitor the development's implementation and, if necessary, take enforcement action.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to require full planning permission to convert commercial premises for residential use.

The government recognises that there has been criticism of some of the homes delivered under permitted development rights for change of use. We continue to keep permitted development rights under review.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to tackle increases in building insurance premiums for leaseholders in high-risk buildings.

Buildings insurance premiums remain unacceptably high for many leaseholders in buildings with fire safety issues, who have been paying too much for too long.My officials have already started working with the insurance industry, as announced in the Remediation Acceleration Plan, to consider whether, for the duration of remediation programmes, government might support industry to reduce fire related liabilities, in order to reduce the high insurance bills some leaseholders are facing.We have also launched a public consultation on the introduction of a fair and transparent fee for leaseholders to pay to those who manage insurance for their buildings.

Communities and Local Government, what her Department's planned timetable for abolishing ground rents and implementing broader leasehold reforms is.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).On 31 January 2025, provisions in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to remove the two-year qualifying period in relation to enfranchisement and lease extensions came into force.On 10 February, we laid regulations in Parliament to implement the reforms contained in the Act concerning the Right to Manage and these will come into force on Monday 3 March.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to facilitate co-operation under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 between local authorities in cases of domestic abuse.

This government is committed to tackling violence against women and girls and supporting victims of domestic abuse.Since 2021, local authorities in England have had a duty to ensure that all victims and their children who need to flee their homes have access to support within safe accommodation when they need it.MHCLG statutory guidance is clear that tier one local authorities should work collaboratively with tier two and neighbouring local authorities to develop a shared understanding of need, including for victims who need to flee their local area for their safety.The government has raised total funding for this duty to £160 million in 2025/26, to enable local authorities in England to expand these essential services for victims of domestic abuse.MHCLG regularly runs workshops with the Local Government Association to support local authorities to deliver their duties effectively. In addition, I am establishing a new Domestic Abuse Housing Group, co-chaired by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, to maintain oversight and ensure that councils have the support they need to deliver their duty requirements.

Communities and Local Government, what plans she has for the future of community involvement schemes following the closure of the Community Ownership Fund.

This Government remains committed to the communities’ sector and to community empowerment.The Devolution White Paper, which was published on 16 December 2024, set out plans which demonstrate our commitment and there will be further announcements relating to communities this year, including on the community ownership of assets.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) social and (b) council housebuilding projects in Southampton are not delayed due to financial infeasibility.

I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave to Question UIN 10272 on 28 October 2024.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help reduce the number of (a) social and (b) council housebuilding projects in Southampton which are delayed due to financial infeasibility.

The Government has committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.On 30 July we announced a number of changes in planning policy designed to support the delivery of affordable homes and also confirmed a...