Baroness Penn

I refer the noble Lady to the answer given to Question UIN 3005 on 9 September.

The Government has consulted on an updated growth-focused National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which makes clear our commitment to maximise delivery in urban areas, including building upwards where appropriate. We will publish the outcome of the consultation and a revised NPPF in due course.

Nutrient neutrality advice affects 8% of national housing delivery or 14% of England’s land area, equating to 16,500 dwellings per year if housing delivery were to remain at recent levels. The Government is committed to finding solutions to support the building of homes affected by nutrient neutrality without weakening environmental protections. We are working with nature organisations, other stakeholders, and the sector to determine the best way forward. If legislation is required for the purposes of enabling development to fund nature recovery where currently both are stalled, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will provide the necessary legislative underpinning to unlock a win-win outcome for the economy and for nature. We will only act in legislation where we can confirm to Parliament that the steps we are taking will deliver positive environmental outcomes. We will conduct a full impact assessment ahead of any changes to legislation.

Nutrient neutrality advice affects 8% of national housing delivery or 14% of England’s land area, equating to 16,500 dwellings per year if housing delivery were to remain at recent levels. The Government is committed to finding solutions to support the building of homes affected by nutrient neutrality without weakening environmental protections. We are working with nature organisations, other stakeholders, and the sector to determine the best way forward. If legislation is required for the purposes of enabling development to fund nature recovery where currently both are stalled, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will provide the necessary legislative underpinning to unlock a win-win outcome for the economy and for nature. We will only act in legislation where we can confirm to Parliament that the steps we are taking will deliver positive environmental outcomes. We will conduct a full impact assessment ahead of any changes to legislation.

The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that local planning authorities should monitor progress in building out sites which have permission. The Government publishes the Housing Delivery Test results for each local authority in England annually, which is a percentage measurement calculated over a rolling three-year period, taking into account the homes delivered in an area against the homes required. The latest Housing Delivery Test results, published in December 2023, measures delivery over the 2019/20, 2020/21, and 2021/22 financial years. Paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy Framework sets out the policy consequences for local planning authorities whose housing delivery has fallen below their housing requirement.