Every parliamentary written question tabled by Gregory Stafford this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 61–75 of 75 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure major housing developments include mobile network infrastructure.
Developers of major housing schemes must ensure their proposals are in conformity with the local development plan and national planning policy.The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 sets out how planning policies and decisions should support high quality and reliable communications infrastructure.
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to review the treatment of digital and mobile infrastructure within the National Planning Policy Framework.
The government is committed to supporting investment in high-quality, reliable digital connectivity so that communities can benefit from faster economic growth and greater social inclusion. On 12 December 2024, the government updated its National Planning Policy Framework. Chapter 10 of that Framework outlines current national policy relating to supporting high quality communications infrastructure.
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the National Planning Policy Framework adequately reflects the socio-economic benefits of mobile infrastructure.
The government is committed to supporting investment in high-quality, reliable digital connectivity so that communities can benefit from faster economic growth and greater social inclusion.On 12 December 2024, the government updated its National Planning Policy Framework. Chapter 10 of that Framework outlines current national policy relating to supporting high quality communications infrastructure for economic growth and social wellbeing.
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to review the National Planning Policy Framework in relation to provisions for new 5G and 4G infrastructure.
The government is committed to supporting investment in high-quality, reliable digital connectivity so that communities can benefit from faster economic growth and greater social inclusion. On 12 December 2024, the government updated its National Planning Policy Framework. Chapter 10 of that Framework outlines current national policy relating to supporting high quality communications infrastructure.
Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions her Department has had with Vodafone on the inclusion of mobile connectivity and 5G technologies within the definition of digital infrastructure in the National Planning Policy Framework.
The government is committed to supporting investment in high-quality, reliable digital connectivity so that communities can benefit from faster economic growth and greater social inclusion. On 12 December 2024, the government updated its National Planning Policy Framework. Chapter 10 of that Framework outlines current national policy relating to supporting high quality communications infrastructure.
Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that National Planning Policy reforms protect (a) nature and (b) wildlife.
The revised National Planning Policy Framework we published on 12 December 2024 included several changes designed to enhance and protect the environment. For example, it expects developments to provide net gains for biodiversity, including through incorporating features which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats and hedgehogs.
Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of adding more brackets on the Council Tax band system for the highest value homes.
The government currently has no plans to reform council tax. The Government is committed to keeping taxes on working people as low as possible.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of giving landlords the power to offer students fixed term house in multiple occupation tenancies for the academic year.
I refer the hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 26549 on 6 February 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of repurposing vacant (a) shops, (b) offices and (c) houses; and whether this would reduce local new-build housing targets.
The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including bringing back into residential use empty homes and the development of under-utilised land and buildings, to meet the need for homes and other uses.Changes we made to the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024 broadened the definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and made clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas.On 22 September 2024, we published a ‘brownfield passport’ policy paper inviting views on how we might further prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ground rent costs on the ability of long-term leaseholders to sell their leased properties.
I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ground rent costs on the ability of long-term leaseholders to sell their leased properties.
I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).
Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential (a) merits of removing students from council tax and (b) impact of removing students from council tax on routine (i) serv
Full-time students are generally disregarded for council tax purposes. Where all residents of a dwelling are disregarded, due to being full-time students, the dwelling will be exempt from council tax. Additionally, where a hall of residence is provided pr...
Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Renter's Rights Bill on tackling unaffordable requests for rent in advance.
The Government recognise that requests for large amounts of rent in advance can put financial strain on tenants and can exclude certain groups from renting all together. We want to ensure that the Renters’ Rights Bill protects renters against such demands...
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to take legislative steps to ensure that pensioners are not impacted by annual retirement property price increases.
Leaseholders living in retirement housing who pay variable service charges will benefit from measures contained in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 that will ensure all leaseholders receive minimum key financial and non-financial information on ...
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to financially protect leaseholding pensioners in independent retirement living facilities from (a) maintenance and (b) ground rents.
The Government will act quickly to provide leasehold homeowners, including where relevant those living in retirement housing, with greater rights, powers and protections over their homes by implementing the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. We will also take action to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rent charges.