PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(13 May 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessments her department has made of the benefits to a) the environment and b) animal welfare of a more supportive planning system for agricultural applications.

Asked by:
Helen Morgan (Liberal Democrat)

Defra is exploring how to improve the planning system for key food and farming infrastructure and working closely with MHCLG, Natural England and the Environment Agency to deliver on these priorities.

This Government is delivering the biggest reform to planning in a generation including consulting on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework that would provide significant support to agrifood developments. This policy has been developed to recognise the need for investment in infrastructure to meet the sectors ambitions for the environment, animal welfare and economic growth.

Major reforms to agricultural permitted development rights were brought forward in 2024. The Government is working with industry to help us better understand whether further reforms will be effective in supporting agricultural development in a way that aligns with Government’s environmental objectives.

Answered by:
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