Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government – in the Senedd at 3:03 pm on 3 February 2021.
Thank you. Llywydd, can I just declare an interest as a Monmouthshire county councillor? I've just been told.
Minister, the coronavirus pandemic has slowed the process of the local authorities to renew the local development plan. This will affect the building of affordable homes until a replacement plan is agreed. And even then, it could approximately take two years until houses become available. They need to be able to build houses despite a plan not being in place. Your Government has set a target of 50-50 affordable to commercial housing, which councils accept but recognise it will not be easy to achieve. What consideration have you given to allow local authorities emergency powers to deliver the much-needed affordable housing across South Wales East?