MHCLG announces Planning and Infrastructure Bill amendments to expedite infrastructure delivery
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill intended to reduce infrastructure project delivery times by one year on average. The changes will remove existing statutory consultation requirements for major infrastructure projects, reducing the current two-year pre-consultation period by half. The reforms aim to align the process with planning applications for major housing schemes, with new statutory guidance to be issued on local engagement. MHCLG estimates these changes will save over £1bn for industry and taxpayers during the current Parliament. The amendments will affect clean energy projects, reservoirs, railway lines and other major infrastructure developments.