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Housing: Countryside

Asked by Alex BrewerLiberal DemocratMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 20 July 2026UIN 12983

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that new residential developments in rural constituencies such as North East Hampshire are required to provide residents with meaningful access to nature, green space and public rights of way; and what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of current planning requirements in delivering that access.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 109172 on 6 February 2026.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to green space.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in the summer.

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