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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what role the precautionary principle plays in the planning system.

The National Planning Policy Framework sets clear expectations that a precautionary approach should be taken across a range of issues including where development could occur in locations affected by flood risk, coastal change or various other natural or man-made hazards, or where it could affect areas or assets that are protected for their natural or historic value. The Environmental Principles Duty, established by the Environment Act, requires Ministers to consider the precautionary principle whilst developing policy on planning.