Every parliamentary written question tabled by Patrick Spencer this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–6 of 6 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Communities and Local Government, what process will determine the final geographic boundaries of the three new unitary authorities in Suffolk; who will conduct that process; and what the timetable is for its comp
The final geographic boundaries of the three new unitary authorities in Suffolk have been decided by the Secretary of State who has announced that he will exercise his power to modify the base proposal received from West Suffolk, Babergh, Mid Suffolk, Eas...
Communities and Local Government, whether an independent assessment was made of the projected savings from three unitary authorities in Suffolk compared with the single-authority model proposed by Suffolk County
All proposals were considered carefully on a case-by-case basis against the six criteria set out in the statutory invitation, alongside consultation responses, representations received and all other relevant information. Decisions were taken in the round,...
Communities and Local Government, what transitional funding will be made available to shadow unitary authorities in Suffolk between elections in May 2027 and vesting day in April 2028; and how that figure was cal
The Government announced £63 million in additional capacity funding to support local authorities in areas undergoing local government reorganisation, with each new unitary authority receiving at least £900,000. This means that, across the three new unitar...
Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of existing planning regulations for considering the views of local residents.
Planning regulations require local planning authorities to publish all planning applications for a minimum of 21 days to allow communities to provide their comments. Where relevant planning considerations are raised by local residents within this period these must be taken into account by the local planning authority. The weight attached to a particular consideration is a matter of judgement for the local authority as the decision-maker in the first instance. The government considers that the existing statutory publicity and consultation requirements for planning applications strikes an appropriate balance between ensuring sufficient consultation with communities and an efficient determination period for the applicant.
Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to require Environmental Impact Assessments to be carried out for all rural solar farm developments with a generating capacity below 50 megawatts.
Projects with a generating capacity of 100MW and less are considered under the provision of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required only for certain types of development. An EIA may be necessary where the local planning authority determines that the development is likely to give rise to significant environmental effects, having regard to matters such as scale, location, and environmental sensitivity.
Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to amend planning regulations for solar farm applications to require greater consideration of local residents’ views.
Planning regulations require local planning authorities to publish all planning applications for a minimum of 21 days to allow communities to provide their comments. Where relevant planning considerations are raised by local residents within this period these must be taken into account by the local planning authority. The weight attached to a particular consideration is a matter of judgement for the local authority as the decision-maker in the first instance. The government has no plans to amend this procedure specifically for solar farm applications.