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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to ensure that developments in the Thames Gateway area are sustainable, self-supporting and contribute to community cohesion and integration.

The Government’s National Planning Policy Framework, published on 27 March 2012, sets out that it is the purpose of planning to enable sustainable development. The Framework must be taken into account in both developing Local Plans and taking planning decisions, including in the Thames Gateway. Planning guidance, published on 6 March 2014, set out further advice on delivering planning for sustainable development.