Planning Bill Enhanced with New Powers
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill has been amended to tackle stalled projects and accelerate delivery.
Ministers believe the bill will "unshackle Britain" from red tape and delays, boosting the economy by £7.5bn over the next decade.
Sluggish planning has real-world consequences. Every new house blocked deprives a family of a home.
If passed, the reforms will grant the Housing Secretary new powers, including:
- Stopping councils from rejecting major schemes
- Reducing the time projects spend in the courts
- Accelerating the delivery of large developments, such as reservoirs and windfarms
Housing Secretary Steve Reed stated that the current system has been "shackled by governments unwilling to overhaul the stubborn planning system".
Author's summary: The Planning Bill has been enhanced to tackle stalled projects.