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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring that new housing developments have sufficient opportunities for residents to easily access healthy foods.

The National Planning Policy Framework already expects policies and decisions at the local level to enable and support healthy lifestyles, including through access to healthier food.

As part of the consultation on proposed reforms to the Framework and other changes to the planning system, the Government sought views on how the planning system could better support local authorities in promoting healthy communities, and specifically, in tackling childhood obesity. This included considering whether a more consistent approach to controlling hot food takeaways near schools though planning policies would be effective.

The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.