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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answers of 10 and 17 June 2025 to Questions 54888 and 57271 on Planning Permission, and Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, if the designated Planning Minister will make it their policy to issue a direction under section 321 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to facilitate closed hearing planning representations during the their consideration of the Planning Inspectorate's report.

An independent Inspector held a public inquiry between 11 and 28 February which heard a range of evidence for and against the proposals in question. The Inspector’s Report is now before the Department for consideration.

Ministers are able to issue a direction under section 321 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 on an application where required. There is no section 321 direction in force and no requests have been received in respect of this case.