The Written Statement in the House of Commons regarding "Local Plan Making and Guidance" by the Government emphasized the significance of local plans in shaping community decisions related to housing, economic development, and infrastructure. The statement outlined the Government’s strategic steps towards universal local plan coverage, laying the groundwork for inclusive community participation and efficient planning processes.

Key points included:

• A focus on simplifying the plan-making process and the introduction of digital technologies to enhance public engagement.
• An announcement about new resources on gov.uk aimed at consolidating tools and guidance for developing local plans efficiently.
• Discussions on revisions to planning practices, particularly concerning brownfield development and green belt reforms.
• Publication of updates on local nature recovery strategies to support nature conservation while facilitating planning applications.
• Announcement of funding allocations to local authorities for conducting green belt reviews and supporting the Pathways to Planning program to bolster local planning teams with new graduates.

The core objective is to improve planning processes, leading to more universally adopted and up-to-date local plans and utilizing digital technologies to ensure adaptability and participation. Ensuring efficient land use through brownfield prioritization and revised green belt policies was crucially discussed to meet housing demands.

The Government aims to sustain the planning profession by investing in graduate recruitment programs, recognizing the long-term necessity of skilled planning professionals.