§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to(a) limit and (b) reduce planning approvals for new homes in West Sussex. [104308]
§ Ms Beverley HughesThe decision whether to grant planning permission for proposed new housing developments is, in the first instance, a matter for the local planning authority concerned. Applications shall be determined in accordance with the development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. In formulating their development plans local authorities must have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State. We expect to publish new national planning policy guidance on housing (PPG3), and final proposals for the new regional planning guidance for the South East (RPG9), soon.