§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications of the High Court decision in Jelson Ltd.v. Derby City Council for (a) the lawfulness of planning obligations requiring developers to transfer land to registered social landlords and the number of such planning obligations affected, (b) local planning authority practice and (c) Government guidance, with particular reference to Environment Circular 6/98 on affordable housing. [97754]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Government do not comment on High Court Decisions.
The Government's planning policy on affordable housing is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing and amplified in Circular 6/98: Planning and Affordable Housing. The policy aims to ensure that large new housing developments incorporate a reasonable mix and balance of house types and sizes to cater for a range of housing need. It enables local planning authorities to negotiate the inclusion of an element of affordable housing in suitable housing proposals.
The policy is not affected by this decision, neither should local authority practice be affected, provided it is consistent with our policy.