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UK Parliament

Neighbourhood Planning Bill returns to the Lords

26 April 2017

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The Neighbourhood Planning Bill returned to the House of Lords on Tuesday 25 April for consideration of Commons amendments in 'ping pong'.

Members discussed the national planning policy framework and change of use of pubs.

The Lords agreed with the Commons amendments and chose not to insist on its changes to the bill, and so the bill now awaits Royal Assent when it will become an Act of Parliament (law).

Following agreement by both Houses on the text of the bill it received Royal Assent on 27 April 2017. Royal Assent is the monarch's agreement to make the bill into an Act of Parliament (law).

Lords third reading: Wednesday 15 March

Members discussed the development of new towns by local authorities and examiners' reports under the Town and Planning Act 1990.

Lords report stage day two: Tuesday 28 February

Members discussed retrospective planning permission, protection of ancient woodland, changing premises from office to residential use and planning protection for pubs. There was one division (vote) on a proposed change to the bill.

Members discussed a change which would mean pubs were treated in the same way as other businesses when considering redevelopment. Prior to this, 'drinking establishments' were treated differently. Members voted on this, with 278 in favour and 188 against. The change was made.

Lords report stage day one: Tuesday 23 February

Members discussed the duty to uphold development plans, pre-commencement planning conditions and planning appeals.

There was one division (vote) on a proposed change to the bill.

Members voted on a change that would prevent the government from restricting the capacity of local authorities to put into force relevant conditions that conform with the National Planning Policy Framework. 113 members were in favour and 107 were against, so this change was made.

Lords committee stage day four: Wednesday 8 February

The committee stage of this bill took place in Grand Committee, a room outside the Lords chamber. In Grand Committee, any member can take part and decisions on amendments can be made, but no votes take place.

Lords committee stage day three: Monday 6 February

Lords committee stage day two: Thursday 2 February

Lords committee stage day one: Tuesday 31 January

Lords second reading: Tuesday 17 January

Neighbourhood Planning Bill summary

This bill aims to:

  • help identify and free up more land to build homes
  • give communities as much certainty as possible about where and when development will take place
  • speed up the delivery of new homes by reducing time between planning permission being granted to building work happening on site and new homes being delivered

Further information

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