Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will review national planning policy to strengthen protections for rural communities in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) Somerset where proposed housing developments would alter the character and identity of villages.

Paragraphs 82-84 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) set out how planning policies and decisions should apply in respect of rural housing.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new NPPF. That proposed Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included policies relating to rural housing, protected landscapes, and the historic environment. We are currently analysing the feedback received to the consultation and will publish our response in due course.

In respect of brownfield land, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 128472 on 23 April 2026.