Questions to the Minister for Natural Resources:
Minister, quite a large number of my constituents have concerns over the practice of developers seeking planning permission and then land banking, and actually not developing within the relevant timescales for residential development. But, at the same time, in order to fulfil building requirements and the allocations required, applications are now being put forward in my constituency for greenfield land, even sites of special scientific interest, and new sites that have not been designated in the LDP. How are you working with local authorities against this practice, and how can you ensure that designated LDP sites that have already received planning permission will actually be developed first before our greenfield sites?
Carl Sargeant
I can’t comment on the particular LDP the Member refers to, as I have a statutory role in that process, but I think the Member is right to raise the issue around land supply, and I have issued a letter to local authorities about making sure they have a five-year land supply in their programme. There’s a difference between normal land supply and land supply that’s never going to be developed, and what I’m trying to ensure is that local authorities can make sure we don’t include the pieces of land that are just there for land banking or profit. It’s a really important process in terms of the development of the economy, making sure we have a sustainable land supply.
Questions to the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty:
Janet Finch-Saunders
11. Will the Minister make a statement on community assets? OAQ(4)0393(CTP)
Lesley Griffiths
Thank you. We recently consulted on plans to give communities more power over the ownership of community assets. I will make a further statement over the next few weeks as we develop our approach, learning lessons from the strengths and weaknesses in the English system, while focusing on the specific needs of Welsh communities.
Janet Finch-Saunders
Thank you, Minister. With an average of one pub closing, and our shops and community centres in north Wales, the implementation of a community asset register within every local authority and giving communities in Wales a right to bid are very much long overdue. Following your recent public consultation, when can we expect your forthcoming statement on assets of community value, and what assurances can you give that communities in Wales will see the same rights as those in England?
Lesley Griffiths
Well, as I mentioned in my original answer to you, certainly within the next few weeks, so, within the next month, I would hope to be making a statement to Members. But what I’ve been very clear about is, you know, we would take the necessary time to get it right. I mentioned the strengths and weaknesses of the English system. I think even England would say there have been some mistakes made in relation to their strategy, so I do want to learn, you know, the lessons from it. It’s not going to be possible to legislate in relation to this before May, but I do think it is important we do all we can to support our communities that want to take those assets forward.