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Local Plans and Planning Permission

Asked by Sir James CleverlyConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 9 March 2026UIN 116487

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether guidance has been provided to (a) local authorities and (b) councillors on predetermination in planning in relation to (i) Local Plans and (ii) planning applications.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

Section 25 of the Localism Act 2011 deals with the matter of predetermination of decisions by councillors.

The Local Government Association has provided guidance for councillors as to how this applies to decisions on planning applications and local plan policy. This guidance can be found on gov.uk here.

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