Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government – in the Senedd at 2:44 pm on 14 October 2020.

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Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 2:44, 14 October 2020

Minister, I appreciate your candour with that in setting out the difficulties. I do think it's helpful that you've confirmed that Wales does need further powers in order to give greater protection, and, obviously, Plaid Cymru would support the Government in seeking those extra powers. 

You've set out some of the provisions that you're looking to introduce within the Government's powers as they stand. Some of the things that we would like to see the Government doing, and that we would certainly support, would include some of what you've set out: a change in planning law to allow previous performance by a developer to become a material consideration as well; ensuring planning departments have the resources that they need to ensure that planning conditions for large developers are adhered to, so that we don't see the same developers making the same mistakes or cutting the same corners; and bringing plans forward for regulatory change, as you've just been referring to, and introducing them now because—in the candour of your answer, you did obviously refer to this—the earlier we solve this albeit very complicated situation, it is going to be the better for the mental health of people who live in these housing blocks. Would you consider these other measures, Minister, and would you say so on the record? Because I think the publicity about reputation becoming a material consideration may be enough to make these developers put the situation right without us having to force it.