Written questions by Green.

Communities and Local Government, what progress has been made towards publishing a formal Government response to the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.

The government is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market and we will continue to consider this issue as we develop our long-term housing strategy. As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report including in relation to specialist accommodation for older people. The government is consulting on changes to the NPPF, including proposed changes to support the delivery of specialist forms of accommodation such as housing for older people. The consultation is open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Government plans to require retirement housing operators to provide leaseholders with more detailed annual reporting on how management fees, including any surplus or excess sums, are spent or retained.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 95245 on 5 December 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether the proposals in the Strengthening Leaseholder Protections Over Charges and Services consultation are intended to apply to event fees in retirement villages.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 95245 on 5 December 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of redeveloping heritage properties on meeting housing targets.

There are no plans to weaken heritage protections in the planning system. The responsibilities of local planning authorities to recognise and protect their historic assets, making use of built heritage and conservation expertise as necessary, remain unaltered. But the sympathetic conversion of historic buildings into new homes can support our housing targets, especially if the building is derelict.

Communities and Local Government, whether she is taking steps to review the 10% commission on the sale of park homes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 44299 on 16 April 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that contaminated land is remediated prior to new development.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by remediating and mitigating despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land, where appropriate.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).After remediation, as a minimum, land should not be capable of being determined as contaminated land under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; and adequate site investigation information, prepared by a competent person, is available to inform these assessments.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that previously (a) contaminated and (b) hazardous sites are subject to site investigations prior to development.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by remediating and mitigating despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land, where appropriate.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.After remediation, as a minimum, land should not be capable of being determined as contaminated land under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; and adequate site investigation information, prepared by a competent person, is available to inform these assessments.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the time period for exemption from Council Tax for retirement properties left vacant after death of their owner.

Where a dwelling is left empty following the passing of the occupant, the dwelling will be exempt from council tax until probate is granted or letters of administration are signed. A further six months exemption is available so long as the dwelling remain...

Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for laying regulations under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to increase standard lease terms to 990 years.

The Governments intend to act quickly to provide homeowners with greater rights, powers, and protections over their homes by implementing the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. These include a new right to a lease extension for leas...

Communities and Local Government, with reference to Section 15 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the plann

The Government is committed to ensuring that local residents are adequately informed about planning applications, particularly those involving large developments that may significantly impact their communities.Article 15 of the Town and Country Planning (...

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of restricting the sale of a proportion of new homes to those under 30.

This Government wants to help first-time buyers of all ages. In addition to increasing the supply of homes of all tenures, the Government has committed to introducing a permanent, comprehensive mortgage guarantee scheme and to giving first-time buyers the...

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of airspace development to help tackle housing shortages.

The Government recognises the value of upward extensions in delivering urban intensification where appropriate. We are consulting on further support for upward extensions as part of our consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Fram...

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the impact of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 on airspace development.

The Department conducted an impact assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2022 which included the impact of the Act’s provisions on development and housing supply. The assessment can be found here.