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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what (a) planning policy and (b) precedent prevents (i) land promoters and (ii) developers from materially altering an agreed development layout at a site allocated within a Local Plan review following Regulation (A) 18 and (B) 19 consultations.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that site allocation policies should be deliverable over the plan period.

Planning practice guidance states that where sites are proposed for allocation, sufficient detail should be given to provide clarity to developers, local communities and other interested parties about the nature and scale of development. Such details may include policies on site layouts for allocations and would routinely be consulted on as part of the pre-submission consultation (Regulation 19). They may also be consulted on at an earlier stage (Regulation 18).

Any alterations to policies made before a plan is submitted for examination may only be made by the relevant local planning authority. Alterations to policies would only be made during the examination of the plan if the independent local plan examiner deems it appropriate, to ensure the plan meets the tests of soundness or to ensure legal compliance.