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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what additional planning capacity she expects local authorities to require to implement the new station-area policies.

The new National Planning Policy Framework that was published on 17 August 2026 was informed by extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including local planning authorities (LPAs).

The consultation undertaken between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, which elicited 343 responses from LPAs, included a series of in-person and online engagement events with them organised by my Department and the Planning Advisory Service.

In respect of LPA capacity and capability, I refer the hon. Members to the answer given to Question UIN 112629 on 2 March 2026.