Written Question·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·UIN 108219
Planning Permission
Tabled: 26 January 2026
Answered: 3 February 2026
Question
Sir James Cleverly
Conservative — Braintree
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether guidance has been provided by his Department to planning decision makers on rejecting applications due to (a) undue pressure and (b) unreasonable behaviour by applicants.
Answer
Matthew PennycookMy Department has issued no such specific guidance. By law, planning applications should be determined in accordance with the development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.