Contributions
2,441 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Twelfth sitting)In part, I would like to correct the hon. Lady, because at no point did I say that such targets are unacceptable; I said that we have not, to date, set one. I will give her an…20 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Twelfth sitting)I thank the hon. Member for Taunton and Wellington for tabling the new clause, and other hon. Members for speaking to it. They are all right to highlight the damage caused by the…20 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Twelfth sitting)We can all agree that the design and use of the built and natural environment are major determinants of health and wellbeing. That is why this important matter is addressed in the…20 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Twelfth sitting)I will do better than that and direct the hon. Lady to the appropriate paragraphs in the NPPF, which set out a clear explanation of what is meant by the purpose and the…20 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)As complimentary as the shadow Minister is being about me, I think it is a stretch—even for someone such as myself, who has lived and breathed this for years—to have been setting…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)I did address this in some detail—the intention behind these clauses has obviously passed hon. Members by—but I would just like to make very clear, for the Guardian article that…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)I thank hon. Members for setting out the rationale for this group of proposals so clearly. From memory, we have already discussed at length, on a number of clauses, the resourcing…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)Let me make a couple of comments in response. First, I understand the point that has been made, but a fair amount of the detail will come through regulations. The House will have…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)Environmental delivery plans will, by their very nature, cross administrative boundaries and require input from a wide range of actors from across the system, be they local…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)Clause 71 sets out the broad functions of Natural England in respect of the nature restoration fund. As will have become clear from earlier clauses and previous debates, Natural…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)The hon. Member is right that those powers are there. The reason the new clauses are required is to ensure the operability under the nature restoration fund. To provide him with a…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)I understand why the shadow Minister has sought to press me on this point, as I hope I have conveyed on previous clauses where we have touched upon compulsory purchase. We expect…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)Clause 69 is a further building block in the system of regulations that will govern the operation of the nature restoration levy. Whereas regulations made under clause 68 will…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)As the hon. Member for Taunton and Wellington argued, amendment 6 is designed to ensure that developers pay the nature restoration levy before a development can progress. The…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)indicated dissent .15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)We have debated various amendments to clause 66, so I will be brief. I will just put on the record the Government’s case for the Bill. The clause sets out that Natural England…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)May I leave the hon. Gentleman with a point to reflect on? Natural England already undertakes a range of duties and makes interventions in support of positive nature outcomes, not…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)Let me give the hon. Gentleman further reassurance. There are two things. First, we genuinely do not believe that that line would strengthen the legislation in any way, in the…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)I am shaking my head, for the following reasons. I have made it clear that the nature restoration fund will ultimately work on the basis of full cost recovery. To be clear, these…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)I think I understand the shadow Minister’s point. Obviously, the normal process for compulsory purchase would apply. We will come to CPO provisions later. If I have not covered…15 May 2025