The Communities and Local Government Committee will examine
proposed changes to the way the need for new homes is calculated
for each local authority in a one-off evidence session with the
Housing Minister.
The Government’s ‘Planning for the right homes in the right
places’ consultation is aimed at finding a new standardised
methodology for assessing housing need on a council-by-council
basis, replacing inconsistent methods used across different
authorities at present.
The Committee will question MP on 1 November ahead of the
consultation closure on 9 November.
The consultation also announced the Government’s intention to
produce a revised National Planning Policy Framework in early
2018, and the Committee will seek to probe the Minister on his
plans for that revision as well as a range of wider housing
policy issues, such as the Government’s proposed reforms to the
private rented sector and intergenerational housing issues.
MP, Chair of the Communities
and Local Government Committee, said: “The way
housing need is assessed varies greatly by local authority and
this Committee has long called for the Government to revise its
guidance on strategic housing market assessments and produce an
agreed methodology.
However, the Government’s proposals have so far proved
controversial, with some industry experts suggesting that over a
hundred local authorities would see a fall in the assessed number
of new homes needed, with a shift in the general housing need
from the north of England to the south.
We’re keen to question the Minister on the department’s
latest thinking and we’re also looking forward to putting some
questions to him on other housing issues, such as the
Government’s proposed reforms to the private rented sector and
the home buying process, as well as ongoing issues related to the
White Paper such as land banking.”
The Minister last appeared before the Committee with the
Secretary of State earlier this month.
Witness schedule: Wednesday 1 November, Room TBC
At 9.30am:
•
MP, Housing Minister
