Written questions by Ramsay.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to delay any local elections as a result of the new local government structures proposed in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

No.

Communities and Local Government, whether local council elections postponed in 2025 will take place in 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 65017 on 14 July 2025.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps under the National Planning Policy Framework to increase protections for (a) chalk streams and (b) ancient woodlands.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats, which can include ancient woodland and chalk streams, should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists.

Communities and Local Government, if she will include in the National Planning Policy Framework requirements for local authorities to make an assessment of the potential impact of proposed housing developments on the sustainability of local (a) water services and (b) sewerage systems.

Water companies are under a statutory duty to provide new water and sewage connections to residential properties, as well as planning to meet the needs of growth as part of Water Resource Management Plans and Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans.The way that water resources are planned for is being considered as part of a commission reviewing the Water Sector Regulatory System, as recently announced by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.