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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he will take to ensure that the expanded use of intervention and call-in powers does not weaken legitimate local democratic oversight of planning decisions, particularly in Green Belt-heavy areas such as Aldridge-Brownhills; and whether he will confirm that any called-in application will be assessed with full regard to adopted and emerging Local Plans.

The Written Ministerial Statement of 2012 sets out the circumstances in which the Secretary of State will use his powers to intervene.

All called in planning applications and appeals will continue to be considered against adopted local plans, in line with s38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, taking into account material planning considerations, which may include emerging Local Plans.

Proposals to determine the appropriate procedure for called-in applications would be introduced by commencing existing provisions in the Planning Act 2008.