Member

239: After Clause 106, insert the following new Clause— “Protection of villages(1) The Secretary of State must, within six months of the day on which this Act is passed, issue guidance for local planning authorities, or update any relevant existing guidance, relating to the protection of villages from over-development and change of character.(2) Any guidance issued under this section must provide villages with equivalent protection, so far as is appropriate, as is provided for towns in relation to—(a) preventing villages from merging into one another, and (b) preserving the setting and special character of historic villages, under the National Planning Policy Framework.”Member’s explanatory statement This amendment seeks to provide existing villages with protection equivalent to that currently provided to towns under the National Planning Policy Framework.