Planning & Infrastructure Bill

On the 26th January, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans under the Planning and Infrastructure Bill for more homes to be built near commuter train stations. The delivery of key infrastructure projects is also set to be streamlined through the removal of red tape as the government continues its reform of the planning system in order to deliver on the Plan for Change and boost economic growth.

The announced plans aim to unlock the untapped potential for growth near commuter train stations and transport hubs to build new housing for working people. The delivery of homes near major transport infrastructure will provide secure, high-paying jobs and strengthen public services.

To unlock land the government has signalled those existing statutory powers including Local Development Orders, together with the introduction of National Development Management Policies and potential further changes to national policy, that will ensure that the default answer for such schemes is ‘yes’. Increasing the scale and pace of positive decisions near transport hubs will not only boost housing supply but will also transform the local economy and community.

The government has also committed to making 150 decisions on key infrastructure applications, aiming to double the decisions made in the previous Parliament. The red tape currently slowing down the planning system will be slashed to streamline decisions on major economic infrastructure delivery. As part of this, Environmental Impact Assessments will be replaced by Environmental Outcome Reports, which are to be clearer, more efficient and more effective, protecting the environment whilst reducing the costs and delays faced by developers.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be introduced in the Spring to support growth: the number one mission of the government’s Plan for Change.

Further information of those proposed elements of the Bill outlined above are provided by the Streaming Infrastructure Planning and 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy Working Papers published by the government on the same date and as part of the wider Planning Reform agenda.

These further announcements illustrate the potential implications of new legislation, together with an assessment of recent and proposed changes to national planning policy, when determining appropriate strategies for promoting development and plan-making.

If you have any queries, or to discuss the strategy for your site, please get in touch with DLP Planning Ltd 's Strategic Planning Team: [email protected]

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