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Written question asked by Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-affiliated) on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 September 2026. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Hospitals: Air Ambulance Services

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that planning policy maintains safeguards for existing and future on-site hospital helipad infrastructure, and does not restrict its availability for continuous air ambulance operations.

Answer

The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published in August 2026, gives substantial weight to the benefits of providing new or improved public service infrastructure, including healthcare facilities.

The NPPF is clear that existing community facilities and public services should not have unreasonable restrictions placed on their current or permitted operation as a result of development being approved after they were established. This means that development proposals should be capable of being integrated effectively with existing public service activities and infrastructure in their vicinity including blue light services.

Where the operation of an existing activity could have a significant adverse effect on a proposed new development in its vicinity, development proposals should identify the nature of the potential impacts and be able to demonstrate that suitable mitigation can be provided before the development has begun.

The new NPPF and the government’s response to the consultation are available on gov.uk here.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2844
Session
2026-27
Attachment
The new NPPF and the government’s response
Subjects
Hospitals Planning Air ambulance services
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk