Written questions by Stephenson.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Impact Note on removal of eligibility of private schools for business rates charitable relief, published on 30 October 2024, for what reasons the Government did not model the impact on economic growth.

Policies and legislation concerning tax and tax administration fall outside the meaning of regulatory provisions and, therefore, are not required to be accompanied by an Impact Assessment. Nevertheless, the government has conducted detailed analysis of the effects of business rates changes using the available Department for Education and Valuation Office Agency data. The impact note published on 13 November 2024, alongside the introduction of the Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill, provides detailed analysis of the average business rates change per pupil for private schools; distributional analysis by region, religious ethos, and pupil population; as well as anticipated pupil movements, associated costs, and equalities impacts. The methodology for calculating the cost of this change has been certified by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility. The estimation of impacts, such as pupil movements, follows from that methodology. The OBR's economic forecast in October modelled the macroeconomic impacts of the Budget package, including the measures relating to private schools.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the Institute for Public Policy Research's report entitled Strategic planning for green prosperity, published on 14 February 2025.

The government has not made an assessment of the potential implications of the Institute for Public Policy Research’s report in question.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of AXA’s report entitled Extreme weather risks: An analysis of England’s vulnerability to flooding and heat.

Under the Third National Adaptation Plan, MHCLG has shared responsibility with Defra and DESNZ for addressing risks to buildings from extreme heat and flooding.On overheating, MHCLG introduced Part O of the Building Regulations in 2021, which requires that new buildings are built to mitigate the risk of overheating. Part O came into force in June 2022.On flooding, statutory guidance to the Building Regulations in Approved Document C, already promotes the use of flood resilient and resistant construction in flood prone areas.The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 also sets out that the planning system should take full account of all climate impacts, including overheating, storm and flood risk. Planning should help to ensure that development minimises vulnerability and improves resilience to the effects of climate change.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to increase the number of new homes built to high standards of environmental resilience by 2030; and what proportion of existing housebuilding projects are meeting these standards.

MHCLG has already taken a number of steps to deliver climate resilient homes, including:Revising the National Planning Policy Framework (published on 12 December 2024) to set out that the planning system should take full account of all climate impacts, including overheating, storm and flood risk. Planning should help to shape places in a way that minimises vulnerability and improves resilience to the effects of climate change though suitable adaptation measures, including through incorporating green infrastructure and sustainable drainagesystems.Building regulations are intended to protect people’s safety, health and welfare through setting a minimum acceptable standard for the design and construction of properties. Introducing Part O of the Building Regulations, which came into force in June 2022, to require that new homes are built to mitigate the risk of overheating. Whilst Approved Document C promotes the use of flood resilient and resistant construction in flood prone areas.

Communities and Local Government, if she will provide guidance to councils on balancing the needs for (a) new housing and (b) nature recovery.

As set out in Paragraph 7 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of homes, commercial development and supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner. Sustainable development should be pursued both through the preparation and implementation of local development plans, and the application of policies in the framework. Paragraph 187 of the Framework also makes clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment. The revised NPPF published on 12 December 2024 included several changes designed to enhance and protect the environment. For example, it expects developments to provide net gains for biodiversity, including through incorporating features which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats, and hedgehogs. Local Nature Recovery Strategies are being prepared across England to set out priorities for nature recovery, map important habitats and identify opportunities for improvements. The government recently updated its Planning Practice Guidance to explain the role of Local Nature Recovery Strategies in the planning system and made clear as part of that update that these strategies will form an evidence base which may be a material consideration when making planning decisions. When it comes to development and the environment, we know we can do better than the status quo, which too often sees both sustainable housebuilding and nature recovery stall. Instead of environmental protections being seen as a barrier to growth, we want to unlock a win-win for the economy and for nature. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will introduce a new Nature Restoration Fund that will unlock and accelerate development while going beyond simply offsetting harm to unlock the positive impact development can have in driving nature recovery.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's press release entitled Bureaucratic burden lifted to speed up building in growth agenda, published on 10 March 2025, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport,on the potential impact of removing the Theatres Trust as a statutory consultee on the creative industries.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510).

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's press release entitled Bureaucratic burden lifted to speed up building in growth agenda, published on 10 March 2025, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of removing the Theatres Trust as a statutory consultee on the creative industries.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510).

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's press release entitled Bureaucratic burden lifted to speed up building in growth agenda, published on 10 March 2025, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of removing Sport England as a statutory consultee on grassroots sport.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510).

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of green space maintenance standards by developers after the construction of new housing developments.

National design guidance supports the National Planning Policy Framework and emphasises the importance of considering management and maintenance regimes, including for open and public spaces, from the early stages of the design process, set out in a management plan.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Bureaucratic burden lifted to speed up building in growth agenda, published on 10 March 2025, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the removal of Sport England as a statutory consultee on new sports facilities.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510).

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Bureaucratic burden lifted to speed up building in growth agenda, published on 10 March 2025, whether there will be a dedicated statutory consultee assessing the potential impact of development on historic (a) parks, (b) gardens and (c) designed landscapes following the removal of the Gardens Trust.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510).

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Bureaucratic burden lifted to speed up building in growth agenda, published on 10 March 2025, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of removing the Theatres Trust as a statutory consultee on the creative industries.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510).

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Bureaucratic burden lifted to speed up building in growth agenda, published on 10 March 2025, which statutory consultees she plans to consult on removing.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510).

Communities and Local Government, whether Environmental Delivery Plans will support the development of (a) community forests and (b) the forest of Marston Vale.

When preparing Environmental Delivery Plans, Natural England will consider relevant strategies and plans. These may include strategies or plans for community forests.

Communities and Local Government, whether Environmental Delivery Plans will support the use of nature-based solutions to tackle flooding.

When implementing Environmental Delivery Plans, Natural England will be able to use nature-based solutions, as well as other appropriate interventions, in their efforts to maximise the impact of conservation measures in addressing the negative effects of development.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 49.5 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, whether development will be permitted beyond the maximum amount specified by Environmental Delivery Plans.

An Environmental Delivery Plan (EDP) would only enable development up to the maximum amount specified in the EDP. Where an EDP is reaching the maximum capacity, the Secretary of State would be able to request that Natural England amend the EDP or put a new EDP in place to address additional demand following the procedure set out in the Bill. Where the full capacity of an EDP has been utilised, development would be required to come forward under the existing system.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to clause 49(7)(b) of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, whether environmental delivery plans would be (a) replaced and (b) lapse at the end of the specified period.

Developments coming forward after the expiry of Environmental Delivery Plan (EDP) will not be able to utilise the Nature Restoration Fund. Where an Environmental Delivery Plan is due to expire, the Secretary of State may make the decision to either update or replace it following the process set out in the Bill. Whether an environmental delivery plan is replaced at the end of its duration will depend on the context and specific circumstances. Where an environmental impact has been resolved, such as securing the restoration of a Habitats Site to a favourable condition, the need for an Environmental Delivery Plan may fall away as development may not be having a negative effect.

Communities and Local Government, whether Natural England will be expected to consult Internal Drainage Boards in the preparation of Environmental Delivery Plans.

Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) will be subject to public consultation, providing relevant organisations and bodies with the opportunity to comment on their content. Natural England will be able to proactively seek the views of any public authority it considers necessary when consulting on an EDP. This may include Internal Drainage Boards where appropriate.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to clause 49(7)(b) of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, who will be responsible the ongoing maintenance of conservation projects implemented through environmental delivery plans at the end of the specified period.

Natural England will secure and deliver conservation measures as part of an Environmental Delivery Plan (EDP) to address the environmental impact of the development in question. When preparing an EDP, Natural England will give consideration to the lifespan of the development to which the EDP applies and the period over which conservation measures need to be secured and managed.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment on the potential impact of Environmental Delivery Plans on levels of access to nature.

Through the delivery of conservation measures, Environmental Delivery Plans provide the opportunity to improve access to nature. The scale of improvement will depend on the local context and circumstances.