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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the time taken for local plan adoption when linked to the availability of nutrient neutrality credits.

Local planning authorities can only adopt a local development plan that is sound.

That requires them to be consistent with national planning policy, be supported by evidence, and take the views of local people into account.

If nutrient neutrality credits are available as supporting evidence for the inclusion of a site allocation proposed in an emerging plan this can reduce the risk of delays when the plan is examined.