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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Draft revised National Planning Policy Framework, published on 5 March 2018, for what reason he proposes to amend the duty on local planning authorities to make decisions that are in line with the objectives and provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008 to decisions that are within the context provided by that Act; and if he will make it his policy to restore the direct link between the objectives and provisions of that Act and local planning in the National Planning Policy Framework.

The draft revision of the National Planning Policy Framework did not propose to change the duties falling on local planning authorities under the Climate Change Act 2008. The consultation closed on 10 May and we are currently analysing responses. We will consider all comments, including those on wording proposed, ahead of publication of the final Framework in the Summer.