Jess Brown-Fuller calls on Government to improve community buy-in for housing developments

Jess Brown-Fuller has called on the Government to strengthen community involvement in the housing development process. In Parliament, Jess asked about the Government’s support for Community Land Trusts (CLTs), which ensure that local communities have a genuine stake in developments in their area. She urged Ministers to confirm how they will help Land Trusts progress from the planning stage to construction.

Jess raised the example of Westbourne Land Trust who she visited last year.

Jess asking Minister for Housing and Planning about Community Land Trusts

Jess said,

“In my Chichester constituency, a lack of available land drives high-density schemes in rural villages that lack the necessary infrastructure, and those schemes quickly become unpopular locally. Community Land Trusts such as the Westbourne Land Trust gain local support and deliver affordable homes, giving communities a real stake in development.

Does the Minister agree that community buy-in is essential if the Government are to reach their housing targets? What steps are being taken to help Community Land Trusts move from the planning phase to building homes?”

Responding, Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing and Planning, said,

“The hon. Lady outlined another benefit of Community Land Trusts, securing local buy-in. The availability of land is an issue for CLTs. I have already set out some of the ways we are supporting them through new investment. As the Secretary of State said earlier, the new social and affordable housing programme will be designed with the flexibility needed to support a greater diversity of social and affordable housing supply, including community-led housing.”