Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 December 2025. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 December 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Planning Permission

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning on 28 October (HC83342), and with regard to the guidance Entertainment Resort Complex, Bedford: Handling Arrangements, published on 9 October, what is the rationale for the difference in approaches to publishing the name of the designated Planning Minister prior to the planning decision.

Answer

In dealing with the applications, Ministers and officials will act in accordance with published propriety guidance on planning casework decisions. More information on this can be seen here (attached): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-propriety-issues-guidance

Handling arrangements are published where they are required in specific cases to ensure that Ministers or officials with any role in promoting planning proposals are explicitly excluded from the planning decision-making process. That does not apply in the case of the Chinese Embassy.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL12631
Session
2024-26
Attachment
Planning propriety guidance
Related items
Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission
Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Planning permission
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk