Clause 5
Housing and Regeneration Bill
3:00 pm
Roger Gale (North Thanet, Conservative)
With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: New clause 2—Restrictions on powers
‘(1) Nothing in Part 1 shall allow the HCA to develop or facilitate the development of green belt land.
(2) The HCA shall not provide or facilitate the development of housing before infrastructure has been provided or facilitated under section 7.
(3) Before exercising its powers under sections 5 to 7 the HCA shall consult with the local authorities in the areas where such powers are to be exercised.
(4) In this section “green belt land” shall be construed in accordance with section 87(1)(e) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.’.
New clause 13—Obligations
‘Before exercising any of its powers the HCA shall—
(a) consult with, and have regard to the views of, relevant local authorities;
(b) have regard to the desirability of preserving gardens and urban green spaces;
(c) have regard to the desirability and practicality (in any particular case) of residential development forming part of any development for commercial purposes (adequately supported by suitable community, cultural and leisure facilities);
(d) undertake site-specific flood risk assessments before acquiring or disposing of housing or other land and ensure that any new development undertaken or procured by it is flood resilient and resistant, subject to a presumption against any development on flood zones adjacent to rivers, the sea and tidal sources;
(e) in this section “green space” means—
(i) land laid out as a public garden;
(ii) land used for the purposes of public creation; or
(iii) an area of open space which benefits wildlife or biodiversity’.
New clause 14—Powers: regard to market conditions
‘In exercising its power to acquire or dispose of housing or other land the HCA shall have regard to market conditions’.