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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many times local planning authorities will be required to update Local Plans following (a) the new National Planning Policy Framework, (b) the creation of Strategic Development Strategies and (c) unitarisation in two-tier areas.

Local planning authorities must review local development plans once every five years from their adoption date to ensure that policies remain relevant and that they address the needs of the local community. However, there will be occasions where there are significant changes in circumstances which may mean it is necessary to review the relevant strategic policies earlier. Reasons might include changes to national policy, the adoption or updating of a spatial development strategy or local government re-organisation.

As a result of the revised National Planning Policy Framework published in December 2024, all councils have been asked to review and update their Local Development Schemes and send a copy of their new timetable to the Ministry by no later than 6 March 2025. They should do this in line with the well-established obligations under s.15 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the planning practice guidance on plan-making.