§ Ms Estelle MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what considerations underlay the proposal in the draft Government regional planning guidance for the west midlands that the 20-year housing needs assessment should be reviewed in June; what account this took of(a) population projections and (b) shortage of land; and if he will make it his policy to introduce a quinquennial review of land needs.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe draft regional planning guidance for the west midlands proposes that the Forum of Local Authorities should review the housing figures by June, in order to take into account new household projections, which are to be published shortly. The housing figures in the draft guidance were based on the figures submitted by the Forum of Local Authorities, which took account of household projections and the current land availability. Regional planning guidance is expected to be revised on average every five years, providing an opportunity for the review of land needs.