Written questions by Milne.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the powers of councils to improve transport accessibility for people with disabilities.

The Secretary of State regularly engages with cabinet colleagues on a range of matters. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed. The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that when assessing sites that may be allocated in local development plans, or determining specific applications for development, decision makers should ensure that safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all users. The Framework also outlines that applications for development should address the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility in relation to all modes of transport.

Communities and Local Government, how many Neighbourhood Plans are in place in England.

Following the Spending Review, my Department announced that it is unable to commission new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards.Technical support which has already been awarded will continue to be provided but must be completed before the end of March 2026.The government remains of the view that neighbourhood plans can play an important role in the planning system. Communities can continue to prepare neighbourhood plans where they consider that doing so is in their best interests. This can include designating Local Green Spaces where this is appropriate. Where a made neighbourhood plan contains a green space designation this will continue to have effect.As of the end of March 2025, the government was aware of over 1,800 neighbourhood plans being in place. We do not hold information on the specific policies, such as green space designations, included in neighbourhood plans.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to help ensure that local green spaces that have been designated in Neighbourhood Plans are supported, in the context of the withdrawal of funding from Neighbourhood Planning Support services.

Following the Spending Review, my Department announced that it is unable to commission new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards.Technical support which has already been awarded will continue to be provided but must be completed before the end of March 2026.The government remains of the view that neighbourhood plans can play an important role in the planning system. Communities can continue to prepare neighbourhood plans where they consider that doing so is in their best interests. This can include designating Local Green Spaces where this is appropriate. Where a made neighbourhood plan contains a green space designation this will continue to have effect.As of the end of March 2025, the government was aware of over 1,800 neighbourhood plans being in place. We do not hold information on the specific policies, such as green space designations, included in neighbourhood plans.

Communities and Local Government, how many local green spaces have been designated in Neighbourhood plans in England.

Following the Spending Review, my Department announced that it is unable to commission new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards.Technical support which has already been awarded will continue to be provided but must be completed before the end of March 2026.The government remains of the view that neighbourhood plans can play an important role in the planning system. Communities can continue to prepare neighbourhood plans where they consider that doing so is in their best interests. This can include designating Local Green Spaces where this is appropriate. Where a made neighbourhood plan contains a green space designation this will continue to have effect.As of the end of March 2025, the government was aware of over 1,800 neighbourhood plans being in place. We do not hold information on the specific policies, such as green space designations, included in neighbourhood plans.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has produced an Impact Assessment on the removal of funding to Neighbourhood Planning Support services.

Following the Spending Review, my Department announced that it is unable to commission new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards.Technical support which has already been awarded will continue to be provided but must be completed before the end of March 2026.The government remains of the view that neighbourhood plans can play an important role in the planning system. Communities can continue to prepare neighbourhood plans where they consider that doing so is in their best interests. This can include designating Local Green Spaces where this is appropriate. Where a made neighbourhood plan contains a green space designation this will continue to have effect.As of the end of March 2025, the government was aware of over 1,800 neighbourhood plans being in place. We do not hold information on the specific policies, such as green space designations, included in neighbourhood plans.

Communities and Local Government, if (a) she and (b) the Minister for Housing and Planning will meet the hon. Member for Horsham to discuss Horsham's Local Plan, the hearing process and water neutrality.

Due to the Secretary of State’s quasi-judicial role in the planning system, it would not be appropriate for me to discuss the details of the Horsham Local Plan and its progress through examination. However, I am happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss...

Communities and Local Government, if she will meet the hon. Member for Horsham to discuss the obligations on Horsham District Council (a) to build more than 900 houses a year and (b) not to build new houses that

Paragraph 60 of the National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that local authorities should plan for as much of an area’s identified housing need as possible, including with an appropriate mix of housing types for the local community.Addressing the i...

Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for publishing an updated version of the Housing Delivery Test.

The 2023 Housing Delivery Test outcomes will be published by the end of the year.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's closed consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, updated 24 Se

The consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

Communities and Local Government, if she will amend planning regulations in situations where a tree is found to be endangering the foundations of an adjacent building so that local authorities may recommend optio

Existing procedures are designed to support options other than felling. The relevant guidance makes clear that applications to address tree-related subsidence damage are to be supported by appropriate information, and the standard application form require...

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to designate (a) Fire and Rescue services, (b) the Environment Agency and (c) the Health and Safety Executive as statutory consultees in the planning process fo

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 5520 on 11 October 2024.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to amend the standard method formula for calculating housing need.

The Government has set out changes to how we plan for the homes we need as part of the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework launched on 30 July. This includes a proposal to amend the standard method formula for calculating housing need.

Communities and Local Government, whether it is her policy that the Horsham District Council local plan should be allowed to progress without alteration in the context of her proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.

I regret that due to the Deputy Prime Minister’s quasi-judicial role in the planning system, I am unable to comment on the details of a specific local plan.More generally, as part of our current consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, we have proposed transitional arrangements to maintain the progress of plans at more advanced stages of preparation. These will apply differently depending on what stage of preparation the plan has reached and the extent to which it is meeting the Government’s housing growth aspirations.We would encourage any views on the proposed transitional arrangements, or any alternatives that we should consider, to be submitted in response to the consultation.