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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that the planning system addresses (a) size and quality of housing, (b) opportunities for physical activity such as cycling and walking, (c) air and noise pollution, (d) access to green space, (e) isolation and loneliness and (f) other factors known to affect wellbeing.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, which includes the health, social and cultural well-being of local communities. It:

- sets out that good design is indivisible from good planning and should contribute to making places better for people;

- asks planners to work to create safe and secure layouts which minimise conflicts between traffic and cyclists or pedestrians, and give priority to pedestrian and cycle movements;

- enables local communities, through the preparation of local and neighbourhood plans, to identify for special protection green or open areas of particular importance to them as Local Green Space; and

- seeks to conserve and enhance the natural environment and reduce pollution.

My Department has this year published planning guidance which:

• Sets a strong focus on design and includes tools which local authorities may use;
• Sets out how local strategies to improve health and wellbeing and the provision of the required health infrastructure can be taken into account in local and neighbourhood plan making and when determining planning applications;
• Seeks to promote walking and cycling, whilst avoiding unfairly penalising drivers;
• Asks that councils’ Local Plans consider how to support walking and cycling facilities, and assess cycle safety;
• Promotes the provision of bike storage space in new developments;
• Recommends removing street clutter, to make pavements clearer and more spacious for pedestrians;
• Sets out how the impact on air quality and noise can be mitigated, including using green infrastructure, promoting infrastructure to promote modes of transport with low impact on air quality and incorporating good design to minimise noise transmission through the use of screening.

Furthermore, through the Housing Standards Review, the Government has developed a nationally described space standard to offer a consistent set of requirements with regard to the size of new homes. Local authorities will not be required to adopt a space standard, but where they choose to do so, it should be the nationally described space standard.

I also refer the hon. Member to the Government’s cycling delivery plan, published on 16 October, which can be found online at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/cycling-delivery-plan-informal-consultation

It is for councils and local communities to use their local and neighbourhood plans and existing planning powers to shape where development can go and create well-designed, safe and attractive places.