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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of Local Plans have been withdrawn by local authorities in 2024 following advice from the Planning Inspectorate; and what assessment she has made of the financial cost incurred on those local authorities to commence a second Regulation 19 hearing in accordance with the Town & Country (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

As of the end of November 2024, 2 (4.4%) of the 45 plans that have been examined by the Planning Inspectorate this year have been withdrawn following advice from the Planning Inspectorate. A third plan was recommended for withdrawal but the authority declined asking instead for a final report which found the plan unsound thus ending the examination.

An assessment of the financial costs of withdrawal has not been made, the cost to a local authority bringing forward a new plan after withdrawal will depend on their individual circumstances.

Local Plans must be fit for purpose as the primary basis for identifying what development is needed in an area. It is the responsibility of local authorities to prepare and submit a plan that is capable of being found sound at examination.