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Written question asked by Caroline Voaden (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 January 2026. It was answered by Matthew Pennycook (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Property Development: Coastal Areas

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to prevent speculative development on greenfield sites in coastal locations.

Answer

The government is consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which includes a revised presumption in favour of sustainable development and new policies on development inside and outside settlements. These changes aim to provide for a more certain and rules-based approach to managing development and to steer it towards the most appropriate locations. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

In the absence of an up-to-date local plan, there is a high likelihood that development will come forward on a piecemeal and speculative basis, with reduced public engagement and fewer guarantees that it will make the most of an area’s potential. It is for these reasons that we have been clear that we intend to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible with a view to achieving universal local plan coverage. In the new plan-making system that will come into force early next year, local plans will be expected to be prepared and adopted within a 30-month timeframe and be more frequently prepared so that plans are kept up-to-date.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
101135
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Coastal areas Property development Greenfield sites
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk