Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what representations he has received from media organisations on the proposals to remove the requirement for physical notices of planning applications.
My officials maintain contact with bodies representing media organisations and other stakeholders following on from proposals to reform the planning system
Government is mindful of the potential impact that any changes to the existing publicity requirements for statutory notices might have on transparency and local democracy, as well as the potential effect on the sustainability of the local news sector as a whole. We also recognise the continued importance of print local newspapers to the communities they serve.
The Secretary of State is taking time to review departmental programmes and engage with key stakeholders. An announcement on our proposed way forward will be made.