§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the projected requirements for new house starts over the next(a) 10, (b) 15 and (c) 20 years; and what methodology is used to determine housing needs by (a) county and (b) region. [28287]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe Department of the Environment's household projections provide estimates of the future number of households by region, county and metropolitan and London boroughs. These are the starting point for developing housing needs requirement figures in regional planning guidance.
Regional conferences of planning authorities consider the revised projections and advise the Secretary of State of the number and distribution. This process has started in a number of regions and will lead to proposals for changing the housing figures in regional planning guidance. Once agreed, the new figures will be tested in alterations to structure plans and unitary development plans and, in turn, in alterations to local plans. Regional planning guidance usually looks ahead 15 years, structure plans 10 to 15 years and unitary development plans and local plans 10 years.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the discussion paper being prepared by his Department on the impact of population trends on housing construction requirements over the next 15 years. [28286]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordWe hope to publish a discussion paper on the latest household projections before the summer recess.