The UK government has introduced sweeping changes under the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill, aiming to accelerate developments, cut red tape, and ignite the biggest building boom in a generation. These reforms have been widely welcomed by the construction industry, with promises to streamline planning approvals, strengthen infrastructure investment, and support housing delivery.
Key Reforms to the Planning System
The new legislation is designed to remove barriers that have historically slowed down planning decisions. Among the most significant changes are:
- Planning Committees: A national scheme of delegation will determine which planning applications are reviewed by officers and which require committee decisions. Mandatory training will be introduced for committee members, and councils will be allowed to set their own planning fees to better cover costs.
- Strategic Planning: The introduction of spatial development strategies will help local authorities work together to identify sustainable development zones and ensure housing and infrastructure needs are properly aligned.
- National Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP): Major projects such as wind farms, roads, and railways will see reduced consultation requirements, faster approval times, and streamlined legal challenges—limiting meritless objections to a single attempt.
- Development Corporations: These will be strengthened with new powers to deliver large-scale housing and infrastructure projects, including the next generation of New Towns.
- Compulsory Purchase Reform: The process will be restructured to serve the public interest, ensuring landowner compensation remains fair but not excessive.
Infrastructure & Sustainability Reforms
The Bill also includes measures to modernise infrastructure, drive green energy projects, and simplify environmental obligations for developers. Key initiatives include:
- Faster installation of EV charging infrastructure.
- Prioritisation of clean energy projects for quicker grid connections.
- Electricity bill discounts for residents living within 500m of new pylons.
- Reduced exemptions for offshore wind farms to accelerate renewable energy expansion.
- New investment schemes for long-duration electricity storage (LDES) to enhance grid stability.
- Creation of a Nature Restoration Fund, pooling contributions into larger environmental initiatives, which will allow developers to waive single-site environmental obligations.
Labour has emphasised that these reforms will cut costly and time-consuming processes, avoiding cases like HS2’s controversial £100m “bat tunnel”, which added significant expense and delay to the project.
Industry Leaders Welcome the Reforms
Key figures in the construction and property sectors have responded positively to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, citing its potential to unblock delays, improve efficiency, and increase housing supply.
Muyiwa Oki, President of RIBA, described the Bill as a “welcome shot in the arm” for the industry, noting that urgent action is needed to deliver high-quality housing and infrastructure. He also stressed the importance of properly resourcing local planning departments to ensure the reforms are successfully implemented.
Dinny Shaw, Head of Planning at Places for People, echoed this sentiment, supporting measures to remove planning bottlenecks and accelerate decision-making. However, he emphasised the need for continued investment and skilled workforce development to make these ambitions a reality.
Melanie Leech CBE, CEO of the British Property Federation, praised the government’s commitment to strategic planning, streamlined brownfield development, and a more predictable planning system. She particularly welcomed efforts to empower planning officers, enhance local authority efficiency, and reduce the friction costs of development approvals.
While the industry supports the direction of the reforms, many experts stress that funding commitments in the upcoming Spending Review will be crucial to ensuring these changes deliver meaningful results.
A Major Step Forward for UK Development
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill represents a significant shift in how the UK approaches construction, planning, and infrastructure investment. By removing bureaucratic delays, encouraging sustainable development, and streamlining project approvals, the government aims to unlock billions in investment and drive a new era of growth.
However, successful implementation will depend on ensuring local authorities have the resources, expertise, and financial backing to make these reforms work in practice. If properly executed, these changes could revolutionise the UK construction industry—delivering faster, more efficient, and more sustainable development for years to come.
