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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that adequate access to (a) banking and (b) postal services is considered during the planning process.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should plan positively for the provision and use of community facilities and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments.

Polices and decisions should also guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services, particularly where this would reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day needs.