§ Angela SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the comprehensive list of current planning guidance issued by his Department announced in the Modernising Planning Progress report. [96929]
§ Mr. RaynsfordI have today published a list of current planning policy guidance on the Department's website at http://www.databases.detr.gov.uk/planning/npp/. This list, which is the first of its kind, will be a useful tool for local authorities, planners, developers, academics and the general public.
Besides listing the guidance contained in Departmental Circulars, Planning Policy Guidance Notes, Minerals Policy Guidance Notes and Regional Planning Guidance Notes, the list will also include key statements to Parliament, a list of research reports and best practice 11W advice published by the Department. We shall update the list as and when new guidance is issued or existing guidance is modified. In the meantime, we are working to make as many of the documents as possible directly accessible by hypertext link from the list.
This initiative is a practical demonstration of the government's policy to increase substantially the volume of business transacted by electronic means.
§ Mr. StringerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date he will publish Design in the Planning System. [96598]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe Good Practice Guide on Design in the Planning System will be an important contribution to our commitment to achieving urban renaissance. It must therefore be right. We therefore intend to publish it once we are satisfied that it is capable of meeting our requirements.