Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Marcus Jones and Mark Menzies
Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con)
6. What support his Department has provided to communities on neighbourhood planning and community rights since May 2010.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr Marcus Jones)
Up to March 2015, we provided nearly £50 million to help communities undertake neighbourhood planning and to access community rights and associated initiatives. We are going further and invested another £32 million in April to help even more communities take up their rights.
Mark Menzies
Fylde communities such as Warton and Wrea Green in my constituency have submitted comprehensive local plans to the council. Does the Minister agree that it is important that when the council is finalising the local plan, it takes into account the neighbourhood plans and the wishes of my constituents?
Mr Jones
I concur completely with my hon. Friend’s view. Our planning guidance is clear that local authorities should work in collaboration with neighbourhood planning groups when neighbourhood and local plans are being developed at the same time. Local plans are also subject to at least two opportunities for comment by any interested party.