Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the use of neighbourhood plans to ensure development is in accordance with the wishes of local residents.

Over 1,300 communities in England have started neighbourhood planning, giving them the power to shape development and growth in their area. Once in force, neighbourhood plans form part of the statutory development plan. Planning applications must be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless other material considerations indicate otherwise.