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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what policies are in place to support the protection of sites located in the countryside outside of settlement boundaries from new housing in instances where a local authority (a) can and (b) cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable sites.

The National Planning Policy Framework sets out (at paragraph 55) that to promote sustainable development in rural areas, housing should be located where it will enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities. New garden communities have an important role to play in meeting local housing needs over the medium and long term.

If an area cannot demonstrate a five year land supply the relevant policies for the supply of housing should not be considered up to date. In this circumstance permission should be granted unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. Exceptions where development should be restricted include land designated as Green Belt and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The need for new or revised Planning Guidance is kept under review.