Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 1 July 2021, Official Report, HCWS145, what discussions his Department has had with the Local Government Association on proposed changes to Article 4 directions.

My Department did not hold any direct discussions with the Local Government Association on the proposed changes to Article 4 direction policy. The Local Government Association responded to our consultation on proposed changes. Following publication of the new Article 4 direction policy, officials have engaged with the Planning Advisory Service and with individual local authorities on the implementation of the new policy.