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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered advising local authorities to extend the consultation period of planning applications which include bank holiday periods; and if not, why not.

No, we have not considered this. Local authorities are already obliged to consult on proposals for development in their area; the consultation period usually lasts for 21 days and we believe this period strikes an appropriate balance between ensuring sufficient consultation with the community and an efficient determination period for the applicant.

However, where statutory consultation is required, article 22(3) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 gives local authorities and statutory consultees the opportunity to agree in writing to a period other than 21 days in which to provide responses if necessary.