Debates between Roger Gale and Matthew Pennycook during the 2024 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Roger Gale and Matthew Pennycook
Monday 2nd September 2024

(2 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Roger Gale Portrait Sir Roger Gale (Herne Bay and Sandwich) (Con)
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The national planning policy framework clearly militates against building on agricultural land. Notwithstanding the Minister’s desire not to interfere in local democracy, will he write to the leader of Thanet district council to remind him that agricultural land is the stuff that we grow food on, and cannot be for housing if we are to remain sustainable?

Matthew Pennycook Portrait Matthew Pennycook
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We are maintaining the existing strong protection for the best and most versatile agricultural land that is most important for food production. The line that we are removing from the NPPF was added in December 2023, and does not provide clear and meaningful guidance to authorities about what they should do, in addition to having that strong protection in place.