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

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen on 8 March (HL Deb, col GC116), whether they will employ a standardised methodology for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation so that there is a transparent understanding of where the need for housing is most acute.

As part of the consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework, the Government has asked for views on Chapter 5 - Delivering a wide choice of high quality homes. Paragraphs 61 and 62 of the consultation draft state that strategic plans should be based upon a local housing need assessment, conducted using the standard method in national planning guidance – and within this context, policies should identify the size, type and tenure of homes required for different groups in the community, including travellers. It also asks at question 41 whether any changes should be made to the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites as a result of the proposed changes to the Framework, and if so, what changes should be made. We welcome views on this issue in response to the consultation.