Rachel Maclean: The National Planning Policy Framework states that strategic policies in local plans should set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale, and design quality of places. This includes making sufficient provision for green infrastructure. The Framework is clear that local planning policies should be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the need for open space and opportunities for...
Rachel Maclean: The merits and economic case for how to approach a regeneration of an estate will vary in different places. The local authority, relevant housing association, together with partners and residents are best placed to carry out an assessment based on the local context.
Rachel Maclean: Ministers and officials have regular discussions with colleagues in 10 Downing Street on a range of issues.
Rachel Maclean: The Government recognises the cost of living pressures that tenants are facing, and that paying rent is likely to be a tenant's biggest monthly expense. ONS data shows that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 6.8% in the 12 months to July 2023, while private rental prices paid by tenants in the UK rose by 5.3% in the 12 months to July 2023. However, we understand asking rents are rising...
Rachel Maclean: Estate agents are prohibited from discriminating against pregnant women in the private rented sector. A victim of unlawful discrimination can seek damages through the County Court or an injunction to compel compliance with the law. In addition, we are committed to outlawing unacceptable discriminatory blanket ban practices against families in the private rented sector.
Rachel Maclean: The Renters (Reform) Bill was presented to Parliament and had its First Reading on 17 May. The Bill's Second Reading is subject to parliamentary scheduling and will be announced in the usual way.
Rachel Maclean: The Government is committed to promoting fairness and transparency for tenants and homeowners and making sure that consumers are protected from abuse and poor service. This includes raising professionalism and standards amongst property agents (letting, estate and managing agents), and protecting consumers while defending the reputation of good agents from the actions of rogue operatives. We...
Rachel Maclean: The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that policies and decisions should ensure that a new development is appropriate for its location. These should take into account the likely effects of pollution on health, living conditions, including the risk of overheating, and the natural environment. Government policy is that by encouraging good design, planning policies and decisions should...
Rachel Maclean: I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 194656 on 24 July 2023.
Rachel Maclean: Letting agents and landlords should behave professionally and responsibly in advertising rents and they are not permitted to engage in pricing practices that are false or misleading.
Rachel Maclean: A Judicial Review claim has been issued in relation to the proposed West Oxfordshire Area Action Plan. It is therefore not appropriate to comment directly on this matter at this time.
Rachel Maclean: The Government recognises that pets can bring joy and comfort to their owners, as well as supporting their mental and physical wellbeing. The Renters (Reform) Bill will ensure that private landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a request from their tenant to keep a pet. The Bill provides added flexibility where they need to obtain consent of a superior landlord when considering a request. We...
Rachel Maclean: Planning conditions can enhance the quality and mitigate any adverse effects of a development, but local authorities are required to provide specific justification for every planning condition they impose as part of a planning permission. Conditions must also meet the policy tests for conditions as set in the National Planning Policy Framework. This states that a condition must be necessary,...
Rachel Maclean: We were pleased and encouraged by the first roll-out of voter identification at the local elections in England in May. The data gathered in polling stations showed that the vast majority of electors—99.75%—were able to cast their vote successfully and adapted well to the roll-out of the changes. We are grateful to local authorities and other partners for their work to deliver the change...
Rachel Maclean: We received a high number of detailed responses to the consultation and expect to publish a response later this autumn.
Rachel Maclean: We consulted on changes to NPPF and are currently carefully considering the responses. We will set out further details later this year.
Rachel Maclean: The Planning Inspectorate does not issue guidance on this matter.
...Andrew Lewer Brandon Lewis Julian Lewis Ian Liddell-Grainger Simon Lightwood Chris Loder Mark Logan Marco Longhi Julia Lopez Jonathan Lord Tim Loughton Caroline Lucas Holly Lynch Cherilyn Mackrory Rachel Maclean Justin Madders Khalid Mahmood Shabana Mahmood Alan Mak Seema Malhotra Kit Malthouse Anthony Mangnall Scott Mann Julie Marson Rachael Maskell Jerome Mayhew Paul Maynard Kerry...
Rachel Maclean: It has been a pleasure and a privilege to listen to this fantastic debate. As a midlands MP myself, it has made me just that little bit more proud of the heritage that I share with colleagues here—as well as with Milton Keynes and, of course, Strangford across the water in Northern Ireland. There is always a lively debate about where exactly the Black Country ends. I am often asked whether...
...John Lamont Pauline Latham Andrea Leadsom Edward Leigh Andrew Lewer Brandon Lewis Ian Liddell-Grainger Chris Loder Mark Logan Marco Longhi Julia Lopez Jonathan Lord Tim Loughton Cherilyn Mackrory Rachel Maclean Alan Mak Kit Malthouse Anthony Mangnall Scott Mann Julie Marson Jerome Mayhew Paul Maynard Jason McCartney Karl McCartney Mark Menzies Johnny Mercer Robin Millar Maria Miller Nigel...