Contributions
2,441 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Ninth sitting)If the hon. Lady will let me respond to this point, I will then address her point. It is precisely that flexibility that we want to allow Natural England to use, because over that…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Ninth sitting)We think the Bill provides that certainty, which is why the Secretary of State felt able to make that statement, but—this is really important— while the hon. Lady has clearly…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Ninth sitting)I will give someone else a chance, but I am happy to come back to the hon. Lady.15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Ninth sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for that intervention. Without in any way denigrating the amendment tabled by the hon. Member for North Herefordshire, the hon. Gentleman’s amendment is…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Ninth sitting)It will be for Natural England to determine what conservation measures are in place. There are reporting requirements on Natural England in terms of the overall body of EDPs. On…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Ninth sitting)I will happily write to the hon. Lady on where that is set out but, as per previous debates, I will not pre-empt our reflections on the OEP- specific points. I again make the…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Ninth sitting)I appreciate why the shadow Minister raises that point. I am confident, for the following reasons. A six-week timeframe to challenge an EDP is in line with similar legislation on…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)I am not going to give way, but the hon. Lady can make a further contribution. However, this will be only where Natural England consider it appropriate and would deliver better…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve once again with you in the Chair, Mrs Hobhouse. Let me respond first to amendment 54, tabled by the hon. Member for North Herefordshire. I will then turn…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)I thank the hon. Lady for speaking to amendment 92, which, as she set out, seeks to remove the duty on the Secretary of State to consider economic viability when making…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for that intervention. I will say two things. First, I again slightly caution against reading section 106 agreement provisions directly across into the…15 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Tenth sitting)Let me work through each of the amendments that have been tabled and spoken to. I will start with amendment 9, which was tabled and set out by the hon. Member for Taunton and…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 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)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)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)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 (Seventh sitting)I am not concerned, for the reasons set out in the “Brownfield Passport” working paper, which I encourage the hon. Gentleman to go away and read, if he has not had the chance to…14 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Seventh sitting)Let me begin with amendment 76, tabled by the hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, which seeks to remove provision for the establishment of strategic planning boards…14 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Eighth sitting)Before I start, let me make a point that I think has been well conveyed, but that I will make again for the sake of clarity: I hope that Opposition Members who have dealt with me…14 May 2025