Contributions
2,441 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)The clause allows the Secretary of State in England and Welsh Ministers in Wales to make provision in regulations for public authorities—limited to certain statutory bodies and…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)I understand the point, but I think the shadow Minister is conflating an application under the relevant provisions in the Transport and Works Act and what the clause seeks to…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for those points. The clause only allows for the charging of fees for services on a cost-recovery basis. I think there is broad agreement across the…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for that contribution and I recognise the reasonable concern he raises. If he will allow me, because it is a very technical aspect of the Bill, I will…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)If I have understood the point correctly—I am more than happy to write to the shadow Minister and set this out in detail, but he can intervene if I have not got this right—the…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)This is an important point to try to tease out. The decision the hon. Gentleman has just referred to took place in an instance where, if I have understood him correctly, local…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)I will just make this point, then I will give way for a final time. This debate has revealed a very principled difference of opinion, sincerely held, about whether it is…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)I thank the shadow Minister for his response and questions. Again, I make the point that with a number of these provisions we are trying to align the Highways Act with other…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)The clause concerns compulsory acquisition powers in relation to projects undertaken under the Highways Act 1980. No clear provision is currently available to allow Highways Act…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)That is a fair and reasonable point. If the hon. Gentleman will allow me, I will write to him to set out the Government’s thinking on that issue. If it is available—I fully expect…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)We have had a huge amount of engagement with the sector, both in working up the proposals and in the feedback that we have received to the planning reform working paper. The hon.…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)I welcome the considered and thoughtful contributions from hon. Members on both sides of the Committee. I will set out the purpose and effect of the clause, address amendment 152…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)My hon. Friend is absolutely right that it is not a cost-free decision to refuse an application where a committee does so on grounds that are not robust. That does not apply in…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)I will set out a couple of points in response to questions raised by hon. Members. If I miss anything, I am more than happy to follow up in writing on the technical detail,…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)On that point I should say, although I hope this was implied, that we will set out detailed processes in the regulations. We will absolutely take into account points that have…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Fifth sitting)The clause seeks to address the fact that under the existing system, a statutory instrument is required to approve applications under sections 16 and 106(3) of the Highways Act,…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)That is an interesting point. That would be a fairly extreme measure for a local authority to undertake but, if I have understood the hon. Gentleman correctly, it could drain its…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)Clause 42 amends the Harbours Act 1964 to enable fees for processing harbour empowerment and revision orders to be levied on the basis of hours of time deployed on any particular…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)Clause 43 will remove the need for a section 50 street works licence when installing electric vehicle charge points on a public road, and instead allow applicants to apply for…13 May 2025HANSARDPlanning and Infrastructure Bill (Sixth sitting)I beg to move amendment 50, in clause 46, page 61, line 39, at end insert— “(7) Sections 319ZZC and 319ZZD and this section apply in relation to a relevant planning function…13 May 2025