Written question asked by Priti Patel (Conservative) on Tuesday, 10 January 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 January 2012. It was answered by Robert Neill (Conservative) on Monday, 16 January 2012 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Local Development Frameworks

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps local communities can take to secure revisions in the local development frameworks of local authorities.

Answer: In preparing local plans, the Government are encouraging councils to conduct early and meaningful engagement with neighbourhoods, local organisations and businesses. Local councils are able to revise their local plans or prepare a new plan at any time. When they do so, they are required by planning law to consult on its preparation and local communities can take such opportunities to seek revisions. Councils must submit their plan for independent examination, and any person who makes representations seeking to change a plan must be given the opportunity to appear before and be heard by the person carrying out the examination.The Localism Act 2011 provides significant new powers for communities to prepare their own neighbourhood plan for their area. A neighbourhood plan would become a part of the statutory development plan following consultation, independent examination and a successful referendum, and form part of the basis of decisions on planning applications.

Secondary information