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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what guidance his Department issues on the level of communication required with local stakeholders by redevelopment projects.

National Planning Policy sets out that early engagement has significant potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning application system for all parties. Good quality pre-application discussion enables better coordination between public and private resources and improved outcomes for the community.

There are powers in Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which allow Secretary of State to require mandatory pre-application consultation by prospective applicants with communities and specified persons as prescribed by secondary legislation, although these expire on 15 December 2025. Through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, we are making these powers permanent.