Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow local authorities to extend the validity of all planning permissions for an additional six months or more as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government is aware from both local planning authorities and the development industry that, with delays caused by COVID-19, there is a risk of unimplemented planning permissions lapsing, undermining the delivery of projects. We recognise these concerns and we are considering whether permissions should be extended.