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Recreation Spaces: Planning Permission

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 15 September 2025UIN 70801

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that future planning decisions that impact historic parks and gardens will be informed by expert advice.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

The government is committed to reviewing the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth.

As per the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510), we intend to consult on removing a limited number of statutory consultees, including the Gardens Trust.

We also intend to review the range and type of planning applications on which statutory consultees are required to be consulted and consider whether some types of application could be removed, or addressed by alternative means of engagement and provision of expert advice.

Further details will be set out in due course.

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