Every parliamentary written question tabled by Gideon Amos this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–48 of 48 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to bind ring-fenced planning department budgets within local authorities.
The ringfencing, or retention, of planning fee income within local authority planning services will be considered as part of the government’s longer-term plans for planning fees.
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure new developments include (a) swift boxes and (b) other provisions for environmental adaptations.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 28783 on 12 February 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on ensuring that the plan for growth does not reduce protections for (a) wildlife and (b) nature.
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 National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and the wider benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services. Development is restricted in areas which are designated for their environmental value.
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure new developments are built to standards which reflect (a) nature and (b) climate targets.
The Future Homes and Buildings Standards, to be introduced later this year, will set our new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. In addition, Part O of the Building Regulations requires new buildings to mitigate the risk of overheating.Biodiversity Net Gain requires development to deliver environmental improvements locally and nationally. Our new Nature Restoration Fund will provide the opportunity for development to fund nature recovery, creating a win-win outcome for both the economy and nature. In addition, the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December 2024 made some immediate changes to support climate change mitigation and adaptation. The NPPF also makes clear that the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change should be considered in preparing and assessing planning applications.
Communities and Local Government, whether the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will include the Land Use Framework to support (a) nature recovery and (b) net zero objectives.
The government is currently consulting on the Land Use Framework. It will not be implemented through the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of planning authorities’ access to ecological expertise.
MHCLG does not hold detailed data on the number of planning officers recruited by individual local authorities. In 2023, the Department commissioned a nationwide survey to improve understanding of the capacity and capability issues reported in local planning authorities. The findings of the local authority planning capacity and skills survey have been used to guide support and monitor investment impacts. We are currently analysing the results of the 2025 pulse survey, which will update key metrics and compare them to the 2023 baseline. Our manifesto committed us to appointing 300 new planning officers into local planning authorities. We are on track to meet that commitment through two routes, namely graduate recruitment through the Pathways to Planning scheme run by the Local Government Association and mid-career recruitment through Public Practice. On 27 February, the government announced funding to support salaries and complement graduate bursaries. Further information can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 27 February 2025 (HCWS480). The government has also increased planning fees for householder and other applications from 1 April 2025, which will provide much-needed additional resources for hard-pressed local planning authorities. The government is also taking forward measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that will enable local planning authorities to set their own planning fees to cover their costs. Through our funding of the Planning Advisory Service, support is also being provided to local planning authorities and their staff (including ecologists) in relation to the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain.
Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to increase data available on the number of planning officers per (a) authority and (b) region.
MHCLG does not hold detailed data on the number of planning officers recruited by individual local authorities. In 2023, the Department commissioned a nationwide survey to improve understanding of the capacity and capability issues reported in local planning authorities. The findings of the local authority planning capacity and skills survey have been used to guide support and monitor investment impacts. We are currently analysing the results of the 2025 pulse survey, which will update key metrics and compare them to the 2023 baseline. Our manifesto committed us to appointing 300 new planning officers into local planning authorities. We are on track to meet that commitment through two routes, namely graduate recruitment through the Pathways to Planning scheme run by the Local Government Association and mid-career recruitment through Public Practice. On 27 February, the government announced funding to support salaries and complement graduate bursaries. Further information can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 27 February 2025 (HCWS480). The government has also increased planning fees for householder and other applications from 1 April 2025, which will provide much-needed additional resources for hard-pressed local planning authorities. The government is also taking forward measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that will enable local planning authorities to set their own planning fees to cover their costs. Through our funding of the Planning Advisory Service, support is also being provided to local planning authorities and their staff (including ecologists) in relation to the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain.
Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has plans to increase the number of additional planning officers.
MHCLG does not hold detailed data on the number of planning officers recruited by individual local authorities. In 2023, the Department commissioned a nationwide survey to improve understanding of the capacity and capability issues reported in local planning authorities. The findings of the local authority planning capacity and skills survey have been used to guide support and monitor investment impacts. We are currently analysing the results of the 2025 pulse survey, which will update key metrics and compare them to the 2023 baseline. Our manifesto committed us to appointing 300 new planning officers into local planning authorities. We are on track to meet that commitment through two routes, namely graduate recruitment through the Pathways to Planning scheme run by the Local Government Association and mid-career recruitment through Public Practice. On 27 February, the government announced funding to support salaries and complement graduate bursaries. Further information can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 27 February 2025 (HCWS480). The government has also increased planning fees for householder and other applications from 1 April 2025, which will provide much-needed additional resources for hard-pressed local planning authorities. The government is also taking forward measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that will enable local planning authorities to set their own planning fees to cover their costs. Through our funding of the Planning Advisory Service, support is also being provided to local planning authorities and their staff (including ecologists) in relation to the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain.