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 make it his Department’s policy to take steps to strengthen planning regulations so that local authorities must take greater consideration of local architectural characteristics.

Exemplary development should be the norm not the exception so that more communities feel the benefits of new development and welcome it.

As we act to boost housing supply, we are also taking steps to improve the design and quality of the homes and neighbourhoods being built.

On 21 January 2026, we published new consolidated draft Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) for consultation which can be found on gov.uk here.

The draft PPG encourages local planning authorities to embed clear design visions in local plans and to use tools such as design codes, masterplans, and local guidance to respond to the distinct context of their areas, including architectural character.

The consultation closed on 12 March 2026. We are currently analysing feedback and will set out next steps in due course.