Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the contribution by the Minister for Decentralisation and Cities of 7 November 2011, Official Report, column 128, (a) by when and (b) in what form he plans to set out transitional arrangements to assist local planning authorities in adjusting to changes in the planning system.
Answer
As I set out in my written ministerial statement on 19 October, Official Report, column 65WS, the National Planning Policy Framework aims to strengthen local decision making and reinforce the importance of local plans. We will therefore work closely with local authorities to ensure that appropriate transitional arrangements are in place before the new Framework comes into force. The Government are committed to the publication of this final version of the Framework by 31 March 2012, but intend to do so well ahead of that time.