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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will introduce a mechanism for the Police to advise planning committees where there are concerns that a planning application has a connection to an organised crime gang.

Planning policies and decisions should ensure that developments create safe places and ensure that crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion. The National Planning Policy Framework states that local planning policies should use non-strategic policies such as establishing design principles which can set out more detailed crime prevention policies for specific areas, neighbourhoods and types of development.

Planning permission is not granted on the basis of the applicant but considered on the presumption of securing sustainable development. However, I am aware these matters have been raised in the Hon Member's constituency and officials will be discussing further with the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner's Office.