Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has given to planning inspectors on the weight given to infrastructure issues in new developments.

Gavin Barwell, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Minister for London: The National Planning Policy Framework and planning guidance is clear that Local Plans should consider what infrastructure is needed to support development, and how and when it can be provided. The cumulative impact of development, and the need for infrastructure to support it, are material considerations in deciding whether development is appropriate. The weight to be given to infrastructure issues is a matter for the decision taker to assess, taking into account the particular circumstances of each case.

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