New fast-track planning to be tested on several major projects

Aaron Morby 2 years ago
Share

The Government aims to select a handful of major projects to bring forward to test its new regime to speed up the planning process for major infrastructure schemes.

It wants to fast-track major infrastructure projects such as new transport links, offshore wind farms and waste water management facilities.

Work will start identifying the projects from Spring with the aim of announcing the pilot projects in September.

Fresh measures are being introduced to tackle slowing of the planning process in recent years and increase in the number legal challenges.

Between 2012 and 2021 the time it took for projects to go through the Development Consent Orders (DCO) process has risen from 2.6 to 4.2 years.

Under the plans for a new fast-track route planning route, the Secretary of the State will have new powers to decide whether to put shorter deadlines in place to examine certain projects.

Other measures to speed up planning will include community engagement and making environmental protections more effective.

This will also see more project detail needed at the pre-planning stage alongside shorter time frames for project assessment.

The big Government departments including Transport, Environment and Energy Security and Net Zero are all signed up to deliver the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) Action Plan published yesterday.

Local Government Minister, Lee Rowley MP said: “The plan we have published demonstrates the commitment across government to ensuring the planning system supports us to improve our energy security and deliver the major transport links and essential facilities this country needs to thrive.”

 

NSIP Action Plan


    • Reviewing and updating National Policy statements more regularly to make sure they clearly set direction which enables more robust decision making. The Government has already asked the National Infrastructure Commission to make recommendations on how the process to renew NPSs can be strengthened and improved.
    • Speeding up the application process by streamlining regulations and updating guidance to make sure it is proportionate and piloting a new fast track process with powers for the Secretary of State to set shorter timelines for certain projects.
    • Reforming environmental regulations around new development and introducing the Environmental Outcomes Report – a new approach that will make environmental protections more effective, reduce bureaucracy and focus on the outcome of development. The Action Plan will also make sure that the NSIP process is aligned with the Government’s wider environmental goals, such as reaching Net Zero.
    • Strengthening community engagement through more support and knowledge sharing between Local Authorities and the Planning Inspectorate. The use of Planning Performance Agreements will also be revised to be more effective. This will ensure the role local areas play in delivering new projects is increasingly recognised.
    • Measures to help infrastructure developers get the early expertise they need, including powers for certain experts consulted during the process to recover full costs for services.

Legislative changes to streamline and strengthen the application process will be brought forward by Spring 2024.

Latest news

M&S Marble Arch rebuild approved after three-year planning fight

Plans were delayed when Michael Gove backed carbon campaigners
7 hours ago

£191m revamp funding approved for London Barbican Centre

Construction to start in 2027 on five-year programme
40 mins ago

PM pledges to fast-track 150 infrastructure schemes

Fresh promise to speed up planning decisions on infrastructure and house building
10 hours ago

Buyers report boom in commercial work

Construction bucks slowdown in general economy
14 hours ago

Plans in for £250m Stockport 8 housing-led scheme

Work to start on phase 1 by the end of next year
13 hours ago

Galliford Try tops monthly contracts league

Contract awards slow down in November
17 hours ago

Erith explosives set demolition record at Sizewell

Watch blast at former nuclear turbine hall: Video
16 hours ago

Vistry to build 950 homes next to Olympic Park

Developer signed for £600m Pudding Mill Lane scheme in East London
16 hours ago

Inflatable formwork used for 45m tall cement silo

Ground-breaking dome silo inflated at Tilbury Docks
16 hours ago

Briggs & Forrester sells maintenance arm

100 engineers to move over to new owner
1 day ago

£2bn Edinburgh ‘West Town’ scheme approved

7,000 homes to be built at 205-acre site
1 day ago

Rayner approves Lancashire super prison

Communities secretary overrules planning inspector for 1,700 inmate prison.
2 days ago

Wates boss returns after collapse of his own contractor

Paul Nicholls was head of the failed Real construction group
3 days ago

Trio secure Birmingham deal to retrofit 3,000 homes a year

Specialist contractors to install insulation, efficient heating and solar panels
2 days ago

Costain confirms £400m HS2 tunnels win

Work to start early next year on tunnel and lineside mechanical and electrical systems
2 days ago

First nuclear reactor installed at Hinkley: Video

Watch precision operation at Somerset site
2 days ago

Winner named for £14m Harbourside revamp

Local Irvine contractor to transform beach front
2 days ago

New Fair Payment Code goes live today

Latest bid to get subcontractors and suppliers paid within 30 days
3 days ago

Lincolnshire concrete supplier files administration notice

Ever Readymix Concrete & Screed operates three depots and a fleet of 20 trucks
3 days ago

Graham lands first deal on Liverpool’s largest brownfield site

Contractor bags infrastructure package on 10.5 hectare site
3 days ago

Bouygues UK boss to step down

Fabienne Viala to leave after eight years at the helm
3 days ago

Galliford Try scoops £87m brace of London jobs

Firm will redevelop a prominent corner building on Sloane Street in Chelsea
3 days ago

New HS2 boss Mark Wild starts amid prep for final TBM drives

Former Crossrail CEO starts with a sharp focus on controlling costs
3 days ago

Ten consultants land Thames Water major upgrade places

Firms will share £400m of fee work over next five years
3 days ago

Rayner ultimatum to fix all unsafe tall buildings by 2029

Recladding work must start on all 18m+ resi buildings by 2027
4 days ago

ISG administrator finds just £35m to pay down £1.1bn debt

Failed firm was set to report £148m blackhole from legacy jobs
4 days ago

Redesign needed on Colas “bridge to nowhere”

Technical challenges continue as £38m scheme faces further delays
4 days ago

Skanska UK shakes-up boardroom team

Four new board appointments as two directors step down
4 days ago

Ultra rich clamour for Mace super prime resi scheme

Topping out at £2bn 1 Mayfair scheme where homes start at £35m
4 days ago

Watkin Jones wins £48m St Helen’s affordable homes deal

Firm to build nearly 300 homes for housing association
4 days ago

Contractor services