Written question asked by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 3 November 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 November 2014. It was answered by Brandon Lewis (Conservative) on Monday, 17 November 2014 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Planning Permission

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department issues on the definition of severe in relation to the effect on traffic levels for the use of (a) local planning authorities and (b) the National Planning Inspectorate.

Answer: Guidance on undertaking Transport Assessments and Statements has been set out in the Planning Practice Guidance for everyone using the planning system, including local planning authorities and the Planning Inspectorate.

It is for the local planning authority in considering planning applications or the Planning Inspector in considering planning appeals to consider whether improvements can be undertaken within the transport network that cost effectively limit the significant impact of the development on traffic levels, and determine whether the residual cumulative impacts of development are severe.

Secondary information