§ Ms ShipleyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) whether he requires the documents By Design and By Design: Better Places to Live to be material considerations in the planning system; [85187]
(2) what mechanisms are in place to ensure that the guidance in (a) By Design and (b) By Design: Better Places to Live is reflected in local authority plan-making. [85192]
§ Mr. McNultyBy Design and By Design: Better Places to Live are guides to better practice supporting Government policy on urban design and housing set out in Planning Policy Guidance Notes 1 and 3. They should be taken into account in preparing development plans and planning applications and may also be material to decisions on individual planning applications and appeals. My right, hon. Friend, the Deputy Prime Minister is a statutory consultee in the preparation of development plans and can make objections when there are conflicts with national guidance which do not appear to be justified by local circumstances. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister also has powers of intervention to direct that plan proposals should be modified before adoption.