In response to a parliamentary question from Nadhim Zahawi, Member of Parliament for Stratford-on-Avon, the Minister for Planning, Nick Boles, has confirmed that upon submission, Stratford-on-Avon's core strategy will carry material weight in planning decisions. At DCLG Oral Questions on the 30th of June, Mr Zahawi asked: "Stratford-on-Avon district council is about to submit its core strategy to the Planning Inspectorate for approval. Will the Minister confirm that, after submission but before adoption, the strategy will be given weight in planning decisions and provide protection for my constituents, while delivering much-needed housing?" In his reply, the planning Minister highlighted Mr Zahawi's campaign to modify the NPPF and guidance to ensure better protection against unwanted development, and confirmed that a plan [core strategy] that has been submitted but not yet inspected can carry material weight in future planning decisions "I congratulate Stratford-on-Avon district council on reaching that important point and thank my hon. Friend for everything that he has done to help it get there. We recently clarified in guidance, not least as a result of his interventions and advice, that once a plan has been submitted to the inspectorate for examination, it can carry material weight in any decision about planning applications, even before it has formally been found to be sound."