Alison Bennett

Last time I had a PMQ, the question was about water companies being statutory consultees on planning applications. I think there is a bigger challenge in that water companies are not properly engaging in the planning system, and I would be really appreciative if the Minister looked into that issue. In my estimation, the housing sector works on five-year timescales, with a five-year housing land supply being in place. However, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the water industry work on 20-year timescales. Those two are in gross mismatch, which means that there is constant pressure for more housing, but the water infrastructure is in no way keeping up with it. Against all that backdrop, the Bill introduced by my hon. Friend the hon. Member for St Ives (Andrew George) would put in place provisions to allow a real path forward for communities that want to provide the homes that their own residents need. That means that housing local people, affordably and in the place they already call home, would be made possible by the Bill’s proposals. I do not see this as an either/or with the current planning framework and the reforms that this Government are bringing forward; it is in addition to them. It is something that those volunteers on parish and town councils want, as they want to do what is right for their communities, so I fully support my hon. Friend’s proposals. The purpose of the Bill is clear and simple: it strengthens the ability of communities to meet unmet local housing need through parish and town councils, community land trusts and other community-led organisations. In my time in this House, when Government Members start talking about the coalition, I have observed that it is because they are on the wrong side of the argument, and it is the only argument they have left. These are good proposals that would benefit the country, and I ask the Government to think again.