Speaking in the House of Commons today, Pennycook read a statement on the government’s plans to deliver 1.5 million homes and take questions from MPs.

Kevin Hollinrake, shadow levelling up, housing and communities secretary, accused the government of pursuing a “war on rural England”.

Following on from the government’s controversial change to agricultural inheritance tax treatment, Hollinrake said this now included: “mass house building in rural areas and on green belts.”

“We do not welcome the bulldozing of democratic accountability,” added Hollinrake, reflecting NPPF changes that will see Westminster given more power to intervene and bypass local councils regarding planning decisions.

Criticisms were also levelled at the way in which housing targets were distributed among different areas of the country, arguing London’s housing targets had been reduced by 20%.

“The assertion we are waging war on rural England, or have distributed housing targets predominantly towards rural areas is simply wrong,” said Pennycook who also stressed more work would be done on green belt exemptions and viability work before future decisions around wholesale green belt development were made.

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From his own party, Pennycook faced questions from Florence Eshalomi, chair of the housing, communities and local government committee. She highlighted the financial hardships many councils were facing and asked if the government would be able to receive additional support when delivering affordable housing.

In response, Pennycook said the new “golden rules” of the reformed NPPF would help deliver more affordable housing where it is most needed.

The minister was also asked about the government’s approach around supporting councils with development plans.

Tory MP Gagan Mohindra, member of Eshalomi’s committee, about what would happen to councils that do not have plans in place or are unable to meeting housing targets.

“We are absolutely determined to drive up coverage of development plans - those areas that refuse to engage, we will take appropriate action,” said Pennycook, referring to the newly-introduced 12 week deadline for local authorities to come forward to put plans in place.

“Where they don’t do so, we won’t hesitate to use the full range of ministerial intervention powers at our disposal. The previous government put deadlines in place and let them slip repeatedly, we will not make the same mistakes.”