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Written question asked by Lord Berkeley (Labour) on Monday, 14 September 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 September 2026. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) on Monday, 28 September 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Rural Areas: Devolution

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to require strategic authorities with a significant rural population to set out, in their local growth plans and spatial development strategies, how rural communities will benefit from devolved investment; and whether any such requirement would form part of their plan sign-off and annual reporting.

Answer

The Government recognises that local leaders are best placed to understand and respond to the specific characteristics of their area. As such, Local Growth Plans are locally owned, allowing strategic authorities to determine how to use devolved funding and powers to support growth in a way that reflects local challenges and opportunities, and this is reflected in our supporting guidance.

Spatial Development Strategies must contain policies addressing issues of strategic importance across the whole of the strategic planning authority’s area, and they must have regard to the need to be consistent with national policies, which is tested by an independent examiner prior to adoption. The new National Planning Policy Framework includes a number of policies to support rural communities, including by setting out support for rural businesses and services, and setting expectations that development plans allocate sites for housing that will support and enhance the vitality of rural communities and enable villages to grow and thrive.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3460
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Rural areas Spatial development strategy Local growth plans
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk