STORY
The Government is pressing ahead with planning reforms intended to speed up decisions on major infrastructure projects, including energy, transport, reservoirs and data centres. Ministers said the removal of mandatory pre application consultation for nationally significant projects would help cut delays and reduce costs.
The change is due to take effect from 24 July and forms part of the Planning and Infrastructure Act. The Government said the reforms could save developers up to £1 billion during this Parliament and cut up to a year from parts of the approval process.
Ministers argue that the current system has become too slow for projects needed to support energy security, housing and growth. Critics are likely to question whether reduced consultation risks weakening public involvement and increasing local opposition later in the process.