Member

On Motions B and B1, regarding Amendments 89B and 89C, the Government fully agree on the importance of prioritising brownfield land for development. Although concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of existing policy, I have made it clear that it is too early to judge the impact of recent and proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. The amendment made by noble Lords is unworkable, as it would undermine effective plan-making, restrict proper consideration of local circumstances, and introduce inconsistent requirements between spatial development strategies prepared by mayors and strategic authorities and those prepared by upper-tier county councils and unitary authorities. Policy remains the most appropriate place to ensure the prioritisation of brownfield, and the Government are confident that our recent and proposed changes to national planning policy will deliver the outcome we all wish to see. Given this, I politely invite noble Lords not to press their amendment.