Planning Policy

: As the hon. Gentleman will know, a huge number of Victorian terraces in our pathfinder areas throughout the north of England are being refurbished as a result of the pathfinder scheme. In fact, far more are being refurbished than are being demolished. In some areas, the quality of the housing and local demands or problems have meant that a variety of housing is needed. We must recognise that there is a wide variety of housing needs. We must respond to the local character of the places, and provide sensitive and sustainable housing. It is right that we have increased the proportion of houses being built on brownfield land. Finally, I come to the planning gain supplement. I hope that the hon. Member for North-East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) will find himself contradicted by the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) because the supplement will provide a good opportunity for us to raise the money that we desperately need for infrastructure. We cannot build new homes without the necessary infrastructure for local communities. We must accept that that is an important factor for the future. The issue is not simply where new homes should be built.