Written questions by Hinchliff.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to part three of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, whether environmental delivery plans will be applied in a modular way, with species considered on a case-by-case basis.

Environmental Delivery Plans will only be put in place where Natural England and the Secretary of State are confident that conservation measures will be sufficient to outweigh the negative impact of development. Where this is not the case, existing environmental obligations, including those arising under the Habitats Regulations, will remain in place. We are working with Natural England to explore which species might benefit from strategic approaches.

Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the number and proportion of overseas voters who did not receive a ballot in time to vote at the general election in 2024; and whether her Department plans to take steps to increase the proportion of overseas voters who receive a ballot in time.

The Department does not hold information on the number of overseas voters that did not receive a ballot in time to vote at the general election in 2024.As set out in our response to the Electoral Commission’s evaluation of the 2024 general election, published last month (Electoral Commission’s reports on the 2024 elections: government response - GOV.UK), the Government recognises the Commission’s findings with regards to the difficulties faced by British citizens living overseas when trying to participate in UK elections.As part of our review of electoral registration and conduct, the government, in partnership with electoral practitioners and the Electoral Commission, is examining several aspects of the system for overseas electors, with a view to identifying practical solutions to some of the challenges faced.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Environmental Development Plans proposed in Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be informed by site level assessments where required.

Environmental Delivery Plans will only be put in place where Natural England and the Secretary of State are confident that conservation measures will be sufficient to outweigh the impact of development. The plans will be evidence based and subject to consultation before coming to the Secretary of State for consideration. Where an Environmental Delivery Plan is in place and a developer utilises it, the developer would no longer be required to undertake their own assessments, or deliver project-specific interventions, for issues addressed by the Environmental Delivery Plan.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Environmental Development Plans proposed in Part 3 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be required to follow the mitigation hierarchy.

Environmental Development Plans will provide the flexibility to diverge from project-by-project mitigation and a restrictive application of the mitigation hierarchy. However, this will only be where Natural England consider that this would deliver better outcomes for nature over the course of the delivery plan. An Environmental Development Plan can only be put in place where Natural England and the Secretary of State are satisfied that the delivery of conservation measures will outweigh the negative effects of development.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 November 2024 to Question 11941 on Community Ownership Fund, if she will publish details of options her Department is considering.

This Government is committed to community ownership, and through the English Devolution Bill will introduce a new Community Right to Buy, which will make it easier for communities to take on valued assets, such as empty shops, pubs and community spaces.All future funding is subject to the Spending Review, launched by the Chancellor on 2 August 2024. The Government will use the Spending Review to change the way public services are delivered by embedding a mission-led approach, driving forward public service reform and making the best use of technology to better deliver services. The Spending Review will set spending plans for a minimum of three years of the five-year forecast period.