To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) to detail any plans he has to revise planning regulations so that homes more suited to families are prioritised for development, ahead of apartments targeted towards second homes and short-stay rental properties; and (ii) for his assessment of current rates of planning permissions being granted for apartments in areas with high levels of tourism but low numbers of long-term housing options.

The Department’s Regional Development Strategy (RDS) 2035 and the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) support the creation of balanced communities and, in relation to housing, facilitate an adequate and available supply of quality housing to meet the needs of everyone. Council Local Development Plans (LDPs) are the main vehicle for delivering this by assessing future housing land requirements and managing housing growth to achieve sustainable patterns of residential development. This process allows councils to address local housing issues within their communities, such as the demand for family housing; apartments; holiday homes; and short-stay rental properties. Where appropriate, LDPs can include specific policies to protect the distinctive nature and character of settlements. Councils are also responsible for operating effective development management in respect of planning applications for housing and in doing so, the provisions of regional planning policy must be taken into account. I have no plans to revise the Department’s planning policy approach on housing at this time.

In relation to part (ii) whilst my Department publishes statistics on planning activity and performance on a quarterly and annual basis, the disaggregation being referred to in the Member’s question is not available through existing statistical databases.