Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking with the (a) Secretary of State for Transport and (n) Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to build sustainable, well connected and well balanced communities.

We have taken a number of steps to encourage building sustainable, well-connected, and balanced communities through the planning system. We have set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. Our NPPF explains that achieving sustainable development means the planning system has three overarching objectives, which are interdependent and need to be pursued in mutually supportive ways. This includes an economic objective to help build a strong, responsive and competitive economy; a social objective to support strong, vibrant and healthy communities; and an environmental objective to protect and enhance our natural, built and historic environment. We expect planning policies and decisions to aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places which promote social interaction; are safe and accessible; and which enable and support healthy lifestyles.

As part of our wider ambitions for an improved planning system, we intend to review the NPPF to ensure that it contributes to sustainable development as fully as possible. I would like to assure my Hon member that we have been and will continue to work closely with our ministerial colleagues including the Secretary of State for Transport, and for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on any future review of national planning policy.