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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to publish a list of the “well-connected stations” within the meaning of Policy S5(1)(h) and Annex B of the August 2026 National Planning Policy Framework; and, if not, why not.

The new National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, provides a “default yes” to suitable planning applications for residential and mixed-use development within a reasonable walking distance of ‘well-connected’ stations. This development will also have to meet minimum density requirements.

The definition of ‘well-connected’ station, as set out in the NPPF glossary, includes those within the top 80 Travel to Work Areas by Gross Value Added and are served by at least four trains per hour (or at least two in any one direction). Stations may also fall into scope where they have a reasonable prospect of reaching this train frequency, due to planned upgrades or through agreement with the rail operator.

It is for decision-makers to determine whether these criteria apply to any given station. As such, any published list could not be definitive. For that reason, my Department has not published a list of stations which can be defined as ‘well-connected’.