House of Commons 14 July 2010

Written Answers (Communities & Local Government)

HOUSING – PLANNING

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department has put in place sanctions for councils that do not assess levels of housing need in their area; and whether his Department has established incentives for councils to undertake such an assessment. [7929]

Grant Shapps: Local planning authorities are best placed to determine the right level of local housing provision for their area. They should justify their decisions on local housing need and defend them during the development plan examination process in line with the policy set out in "Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing". We are committed to increasing housing supply and seeing more of the homes that people want, in the places that people want them, to meet Britain's housing need. The coalition agreement set out our clear intention to provide incentives for local authorities to deliver sustainable development, including new homes and business. More details will be announced shortly.