Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government – in the Senedd at 2:27 pm on 15 May 2019.
I partly agree with the point that the Member is making, but I have to say I don't agree with it when we're talking about the large house builders. So, I think that there is a case to make sure that we simplify the planning process, perhaps by rather more site-specific planning approaches for SME builders across Wales, and our stalled sites programme, for example, is looking to do exactly that to bring those smaller sites into play. However, I must say I disagree with, I think, the Member's proposition that the large house builders need assistance with planning. My view, actually, is that we need to strengthen our planning rules around size, type and demand for those kinds of developments, so that we have sustainable communities being built with the right kinds of infrastructure alongside the houses, and not just urban sprawl, which can occur where you remove planning consent regimes. So, I think I'm partly agreeing with the Member, but not entirely.