Digital planning

Digital planning

In October 2023, the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA 2023) gained Royal Assent. LURA 2023 includes sections on data standards, data software and the digitalisation of many planning processes.

The Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022) gained Royal Assent in April 2022. It sets out a building safety regime based on three gateways, where Gateway One is the planning process. It also provides for an approach to managing fire safety data that includes all stages of the building process, including planning.

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Latest Planning News

NESO outlines strategic network plan for net zero ambitions

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has outlined the Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) to coordinate long-term transmission network planning in Great Britain, focusing initially on electricity and later including gas and hydrogen. Following a consultation on the CSNP Methodology High-Level Principles, the feedback received emphasised the need for detailed stakeholder engagement and environmental assessments. The plan supports integrating offshore designs and refining system requirements to include decentralised energy and regional diversity. The assessment criteria will balance economic and non-economic factors, moving away from the Least-Worst Regret approach. The Draft Methodology will be published by Summer 2025, with further opportunities for stakeholder input.

Planning weekly highlights—3 April 2025

This week's edition of Planning weekly highlights includes: a Welsh Order relating to pre-application consultation and consultation; a Court of Appeal ruling that EMF impact is material consideration in telecom development prior approval decision; new and updated Welsh flood risk guidance and guidance documents on higher-risk buildings.

Ofgem approves policy framework for Regional Energy Strategic Plans

Ofgem has published a decision, announcing its approval of the policy framework for Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs), following its July 2024 consultation. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) will oversee the development of 11 RESPs, covering Scotland, Wales, and nine regions in England. The framework outlines the guiding principles, components, governance structures, and boundaries of the RESPs. The RESPs will facilitate coordinated energy planning at national, regional, and local levels by modelling strategies to meet projected energy generation and demand over a ten-year period. They also aim to focus on developing infrastructure needed for decarbonising heating, transport, industrial clusters, and hydrogen plants. NESO plans to consult on the methodology for developing the RESPs in late 2025. Additionally, Ofgem intends to consult on proposed licence changes and guidance to assist NESO and network companies in integrating the RESPs into network planning processes in 2025. Transitional RESPs are expected to be published in early 2026, with the full set anticipated by late 2027.

Dan Corry’s independent review examines Defra’s regulatory framework

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published the findings of Dan Corry’s independent review, which examines whether Defra’s regulatory framework effectively supports economic growth and nature recovery. The review identifies the current system as outdated, inconsistent, and complex, presenting 29 recommendations across five strategic themes. In response, Defra announced plans to expedite the implementation of nine key recommendations, including: (1) appointing a single lead regulator for major infrastructure projects; (2) rapidly reviewing and updating existing environmental compliance guidance; (3) streamlining permit processes, including updating the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016, SI 2016/1154; (4) developing a single planning permit portal for all agencies; (5) establishing a new Defra Infrastructure Board; (6) granting increased autonomy to trusted nature conservation and environmental partners; (7) launching an industry-funded Nature Market Accelerator; (8) publishing new strategic policy statements for all regulators, starting with the Environment Agency and Natural England; and (9) introducing a continuous reform programme for specific regulations. Measures involving financial expenditure will be evaluated during the Spending Review, while those requiring legislative changes will be considered within Defra’s broader legislative priorities.