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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether it is his policy to support the use of binding local referenda for major planning decisions.

It is important that local communities have the opportunity to comment on any applications for new development which come forward in their area. That is why the planning system already provides statutory rights for communities to become involved in the preparation of the Local Plan and neighbourhood plans for the area, and to make representations on individual planning applications, and on planning appeals. Local planning authorities are also required by statute to take into account all representations made in relation to an application for planning permission.

However, in reaching a decision on whether to grant planning permission only material planning considerations may be taken into account by the local planning authority. Local opposition or support is not in itself a ground for refusing or granting planning permission, unless it is founded on valid planning reasons.

Under a plan-led system, all planning applications submitted to a local planning authority must be determined, on their own merits, in accordance with the local development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Given these long standing and robust processes are already in place, we do not support the use of binding local referenda for major planning decisions.