New House Building

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Climate Change – in the Senedd at 2:17 pm on 18 May 2022.

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Photo of Peter Fox Peter Fox Conservative 2:17, 18 May 2022

Thank you, Minister, for that response. Llywydd, I'm sure everybody across the Chamber here knows the importance of having a good quality stock of housing. Without them, the housing stock will come under even more pressure, pricing people out from being able to own their own home, and we've seen that, sadly, all over. However, a number of new developments in my constituency have stalled as a consequence of the current rules around phosphate levels, with developments close to river catchments required to show how the design will not contribute to increased phosphate levels. Of course, I completely agree that new developments should not have an adverse impact on the environment, however, the current rules seem to have caused a real log jam in the building of much-needed new homes. And in fact, there are concerns that these rules will impact on the potential development of a cancer treatment centre in Nevill Hall in Abergavenny. I note that you will be having a summit at the Royal Welsh Show, which will reflect on not only phosphates but flooding also, but, Minister, how is the Welsh Government balancing environmental considerations with the need to build new homes to tackle the housing crisis? How is the Government working with planning authorities and developers to better understand the current rules, as well as unlocking stalled sites? And we also know that farming isn't the only player in this situation—