In the King's Speech last week, a clear message was delivered: "My Ministers will get Britain building, including through planning reform, as they seek to accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing". This proclamation underscores the critical role of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in driving economic growth by transforming the current planning regime.
What does the Bill do?
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill introduces several measures designed to modernise and streamline the planning process, making it more efficient and responsive to the needs of developers and communities alike. Notably, it aligns with Labour leader Keir Starmer's repeated pledges to put spades in the ground and deliver 1.5 million new homes in the next five years. Starmer has emphasised the need to "remove the power from local people to block new homes", asserting that local people would decide "how, not if" developments are built. The Bill reflects this focus by shifting development decisions towards the same principle.
Local Level Improvements
Modernising Planning Committees: By updating the way local planning committees operate, the Bill aims to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness. This modernisation effort is expected to lead to more timely and better-quality decision-making.
Increasing Capacity of Local Planning Authorities: The Bill allocates resources to boost the capacity of local planning authorities, enabling them to provide improved services. This increase in capacity will help expedite planning decisions, which is crucial for accelerating project delivery.
Accelerating Infrastructure and Housing Delivery
Streamlining Infrastructure Delivery: The Bill proposes to simplify the consenting process for major infrastructure projects. This includes accelerating upgrades to the national grid and boosting renewable energy projects, which are essential for meeting the UK's 2030 clean power mission and net zero obligations.
Reforming Compulsory Purchase Compensation: To ensure fairness and efficiency, the Bill will reform compulsory purchase compensation rules. This will make it easier to assemble land for development, thereby speeding up the delivery of affordable housing and critical infrastructure.
Supporting Sustainable Development
Nature Recovery: The Bill emphasises using development to fund nature recovery. This approach aims to create a win-win situation for both the economy and the environment. The government is committed to working with stakeholders to ensure that legislative changes will deliver positive environmental outcomes.
Addressing Systemic Issues
Improving Decision-Making Timelines: Currently, only 9% of Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) determine more than 70% of non-major applications within the required 8 weeks, and only 1% meet the statutory 13-week period for major applications. The Bill aims to reverse these trends by increasing capacity and improving performance at the local level.
Reducing Costs and Increasing Efficiency: The national development management service cost £794 million to operate in 2022/23, with a funding shortfall of £262 million per year. By increasing the capacity of LPAs, the Bill seeks to reduce this shortfall and improve the overall efficiency of the planning system.
We are now eagerly anticipating the details of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will be discussed during its Second Reading in the House of Commons. This bill is one among 35 currently awaiting consideration in Parliament.
At Bluestone Planning, we recognise the pivotal role these reforms will play in shaping development opportunities. If you currently possess land and are uncertain about how to proceed in light of The Planning and Infrastructure Bill measures, we are here to help. Our consultancy offers thorough site reviews that align with the latest national and local policies, presenting both short-term and long-term strategies for your property. Moreover, we can provide expert guidance on how impending government policies may affect your land use plans.
Unlock the full potential of your property and navigate the complexities of planning regulations with confidence. Contact us at Bluestone Planning by calling +44 1235 766825 or emailing admin@bluestoneplanning.co.uk.
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