Ben Howlett, the Member of Parliament for Bath, has welcomed funding for thousands of homes in the city of Bath, and asked his first Prime Minister’s Question of the Parliament.
On Wednesday, the Housing Minister announced funding for Housing Zones around the country which will kick start work to build tens of thousands of new homes.
As part of the announcement, the Foxhill development will receive £313,000 supporting a Project Manager, community support and an independent viability assessment.
Following the announcement Ben Howlett praised the decision in Prime Ministers Questions, saying: “Yesterday it was announced that the Foxhill Housing Zone in Bath would receive £313,000 of Government funding to help kick start work to build thousands of new homes in the city.
“Would the Prime Minister agree with me that this funding will help to reverse the lack of house building under the party opposite and enable struggling families to get onto the property ladder?”
In response, the Prime Minister said: “I am delighted to hear about the development in his constituency.
“The fact is we built 700,000 houses since this government came to office in 2010 but there is a lot more that needs to be done.
“Sometimes it is specific bits of transport infrastructure or specific planning permissions or disagreements between district councils and county councils that need to be sorted out.
“But, we shouldn’t forget the fact that the developers and house builders will only go ahead with house building if they believe it is a benign economic environment with a strong and growing economy and stable interest rates and all the things that we need. That is the key to the success in housing.”
After leaving Prime Minister’s Questions, Ben said: “£313,000 of investment for new homes in Bath is fantastic news and I thank the Prime Minister for his commitment to developments like Foxhill.
“It shows his commitment to building new homes and supporting aspiring home owners.
“After a number of meetings with Combe Down Councillor Bob Goodman, and the new Foxhill Residents Association, I am pleased that Foxhill will be getting this injection of funding to give the development the support it needs.
‘The development will provide 700 new homes, community facilities and opens spaces and will bring lasting regeneration to the area.
“The initial steps have already been taken, with the first 275 new homes already approved, and the Government’s support will be very helpful.
“Housing Zones show that the Government is committed to developing brownfield sites and getting Britain building again. The Housing Zones, which comes on top of the £1.2 billion Starter Home Fund, will help speed up this vital work, enabling homes to be delivered quickly.”
Combe Down and Foxhill Councillor, Bob Goodman, said: “I am absolutely delighted that this Government has come through. It has been as a result of considerable hard work since the May elections.
“I found the Foxhill residents needed support from the new Council Administration which was forthcoming and, with Ben Howlett lobbying with Ministers, this money has now been allocated.
“I am thrilled that the voice of Foxhill has now been heard.”
