Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what representations he has received from (a) Thurrock, (b) Basildon and (c) other south Essex councils on the adequacy of infrastructure to meet housing targets in local plans.

Responses to the consultation on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework that took place between 30 July 2024 to 24 September 2024 were received from six authorities in South Essex, including Thurrock, Basildon and Castle Point. These included representations on the importance of an adequate provision of infrastructure in relation to housing targets.

Castle Point also wrote to my Department in April 2025 referring to the adequacy of infrastructure in their area. The letter and my response of 30 June 2025 were published by the Council in Appendix 9 of their Regulation 19 draft Local Plan here.

I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 78861 on 20 October 2025 and the live consultation on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework which can be found on gov.uk here.