§ 5. Laura Moffatt (Crawley) (Lab)When he expects to make an announcement about the future for housing development around Gatwick airport.[179833]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Phil Hope)Decisions about the extent and location of housing developments are, in the first instance, for the local planning authority concerned. Decisions on whether to lift directions that restrict Crawley borough council from granting planning permissions for housing development on some of the land near Gatwick will be taken once final announcements have been made on the location of new airport facilities in the south-east.
§ Laura MoffattThe Minister knows that Gatwick airport is a difficult issue, but does he agree that West Sussex county council's continual peddling of the idea that we want to concrete over the south-east of England is a dereliction of its duty? We must ensure that all the people in West Sussex have good quality housing.
§ Phil HopeMy hon. Friend is right. She is well known for her energetic efforts in pressing hard for more affordable homes for people in her constituency. There are other sites. For example, there is one in nearby Horley, where up to 2,600 new houses have been allocated for development in the emerging local plan. I urge the borough council and West Sussex county council to work closely with the Government office for the south-east to prepare an action plan that will deliver more homes for young families in my hon. Friend's constituency.