Solar farms, nuclear plants, reservoirs and train links will not require planning consultation if they are deemed to be of national importance.
Changes in Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Abolishing the mandatory appraisal requirement for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) will come into effect this month.
Ministers hope this will shave up to 12 months off the planning process and save the industry £1 billion in costs. But critics of the law have highlighted that removing the survey requirement leaves local communities disenfranchised and unable to make their voices heard.
What are the changes in planning law?
The statutory requirement for NSIPs to undergo mandatory pre-application consultation has been repealed from the Planning Act 2008 for NSIPs. Before removing it, the law ensured that developers were required to communicate with the local community about any proposals as well as to disclose the plans. A Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) was also required.
Elsewhere, the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 was changed to remove mandatory pre-application consultation for onshore wind projects.
These changes have been brought about by the introduction of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025. The government has also promised to provide technical support to developers and “meaningful” advice from planning inspectors before submitting applications.
The rules governing the recovery of costs for local authorities when dealing with NSIPs have also been changed to allow planning authorities to set their own fees.
Why did the government make the changes?
The government says the projects could create “more than 82,000 jobs” as well as produce the cleanest energy ever to power millions of UK homes and businesses.
He also said he would speed up decision-making to help advance dozens of what he considers critical infrastructure projects to help grow the economy and welcome a “new era of clean energy.”
Housing Secretary Steve Reid said: “This Government is committed to making the UK a world leader in building infrastructure. Our reforms will speed up work on wind farms, solar panels and transport links to connect our communities and grow our economy.”
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Michael Shanks added: “Britain cannot afford to wait years for the clean energy infrastructure needed to strengthen our energy security and grow the economy.
“Every turbine, every one solar panelEvery cable we connect helps protect families from volatile fossil fuel markets and pave the way for a new era of clean energy for our country.”
Do environmental groups welcome changes to planning rules?
“As the Planning and Infrastructure Act is designed to do, government initiatives to speed up decision-making for development projects are welcome but only if they lead to good development. Good development is well-designed development in the right place, with environmental and community impacts properly considered and mitigated,” explains Sally Haynes. Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
“The early involvement of environmental consultants in the early stages of project design and the provision of pre-application advice can effectively manage project risks and unnecessary delays, but the legislation does not solve the problem of chronically under-resourced local planning authorities.
“As a result, while this new approach may benefit some high-profile infrastructure projects, it will not benefit the majority of homeowners and housebuilders who still face delays in decision-making, with the added risk of community resentment and frustration if they are not able to voice their concerns during the planning process.”
Which projects will be affected?
The government says it has already made 41 decisions on major infrastructure, with major projects such as the Mona offshore wind farm, Get Burton Energy Park and the Lower Thames Crossing.
It also claims, “Since the launch of the inspector’s new pre-application service more than 80 potential applicants have benefited from early advice to help shape their proposed applications.”
Large scale NSIPs that are still in the pre-application stage include Arrow Way Solar, Calderdale Energy Park, Fens Reservoir and Heathrow Airport (third runway). The entire list of Govt NSIPs website.
The government’s current aim is to exceed the target of 150 major structural decisions in this Parliament (by July 2029), with these changes intended to help speed them up.
