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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will review national planning policy to strengthen provisions on the expansion of intensive broiler factories; and if he will make a statement.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out a range of policies which seek to ensure that the impacts of all types of development are carefully considered when planning decisions are taken. Intensive broiler factories, exceeding a certain size or capacity, are subject to additional rules, such as environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulations, which inform decision making and take environmental impacts into account when deciding whether to grant planning consent. In addition, environmental permits require farmers with intensive poultry enterprises, of over 40,000 poultry places, to ensure they operate the farm using Best Available Techniques (BAT) to protect people and the environment.

The ‘Planning for the Future’ White Paper makes clear that we want planning reforms to leave a legacy of environmental improvement. The White Paper received over 40,000 responses and we are in the process of analysing the feedback received. We are also taking forward work to reform the environmental assessment framework as part of that process that will help maximise environmental benefits, recognising the importance of our domestic and international obligations for environmental protection.