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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of the National Planning Policy Framework, announced on 12 December 2024, on infrastructure and services in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) other rural areas.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December makes clear that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of necessary infrastructure and facilities.

A number of updates have been made to the Framework to support the improvement and modernisation of public service infrastructure; ensure sufficient provision of post-16 education and early years places; and encourage a collaborative, vision-led approach to transport planning in both rural and urban areas.