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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help ensure that large scale planning proposals (a) do not escalate traffic challenges and (b) are fully integrated with local transport infrastructure.

The Government has made clear in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that any significant capacity and congestion implications from new development on the transport network need to be cost effectively mitigated to an acceptable degree. In addition, significant development should be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable, through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes, which can help reduce congestion and emissions.

To ensure new developments are integrated with local transport infrastructure, the NPPF makes clear transport issues should be considered at the earliest stage of plan making and decision making so that opportunities from existing or proposed transport infrastructure are realised and opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport are identified and pursued.

As part of the planning reforms, the Government has set out proposals to change the way we plan for and design new development. We have also made clear the important role that transport can play in minimising carbon emissions. The reforms will provide an opportunity to review the current system and ensure sustainable development is a key part of any future planning system, considering how sustainable transport is planned for and delivered will be central to this.