New Clause 24
Housing and Regeneration Bill
12:30 pm
Nick Raynsford (Greenwich and Woolwich, Labour)
My hon. Friend has not entirely satisfied my concerns, because a tight definition would obviously mean that relatively limited numbers of areas would benefit. In many rural areas—and, indeed, in some urban areas—there is a real worry, where it is extremely difficult to meet housing needs because of high land values, that social housing provided through the shared ownership route will be lost through staircasing without appropriate safeguards.
I support strongly the general principle of staircasing, but in those areas of need, there is a strong case for protection. Is the Minister willing to encourage local authorities that believe that their areas are experiencing such need to make representations for their areas to be designated under this provision?