Oral Answers to Questions

Harriett Baldwin Excerpts

Monday 3rd June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham) (Con)]

15. What assessment he has made of the results of the neighbourhood planning referendums to date.

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

16. What assessment he has made of the results of the neighbourhood planning referendums to date.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Nick Boles)]

In all three referendums, residents have voted overwhelmingly in support of neighbourhood plans. More than 90% of voters said yes in Eden and Exeter St James and 76% in Thame.

[Nick Boles]

I am delighted to be able to reassure my hon. Friend that a plan cannot be found sound unless it has undergone a great deal of consultation by local people; an inspector will expect that to have happened before they examine the plan.

[Harriett Baldwin]

Further to that question, will the Minister help my communities, who are very excited about this neighbourhood planning idea? Once the local plan has been submitted, can they still work on developing their neighbourhood plan?