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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's Coronavirus (COVID-19): planning update published on 13 May 2020, whether it is the Government's policy to encourage local authorities to consider whether it would be appropriate to allow developers to defer delivery of section 106 planning obligations including (a) financial contributions, (b) on-site affordable housing requirements, or (c) other planning obligations.

Contributions from developers play an important role in delivering the infrastructure that new homes require. Local planning authorities already have significant flexibilities to defer section 106 payments of all kinds. We have published additional planning guidance to encourage local authorities to consider using these flexibilities to ensure that infrastructure and affordable housing is delivered at the right time. It remains for the local authority to determine what may be appropriate to defer.