To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance he gives local authorities on assessing the infrastructure required for sites which are included in their site allocations process; and what steps he takes if local authorities do not adhere to that guidance.
Answered on
30 June 2014
The National Planning Policy Framework and our planning guidance make clear that Local Plans should be supported by evidence to establish what level of infrastructure is needed to enable the development proposed for the area and how it will be delivered.
At examination, local authorities should justify their plan policies, including their deliverability over the plan period. Where an inspector concludes that there are fundamental issues regarding the soundness of the Plan, they will identify any conflicts between a draft local plan and national policy and regulatory process. They are able to recommend modifications to overcome these issues if they are asked to do so by the council itself.