The reforms seek to push forward construction projects that have previously been stuck due to environmental bureaucracy, while still protecting the natural environment
Environmental planning reforms will be backed by £500 million, which includes funding for the government’s flagship Nature Restoration and Marine Recovery Fund.
The measures are designed to speed up planning applications and help developers deliver projects more quickly, while still protecting the environment.
The government says this will allow 150 major infrastructure planning decisions to be fast-tracked before the end of the current Parliament, helping its 1.5 million homes target.
Several proposed projects are set to benefit
The reforms also include plans for major projects to have a single lead environmental body in charge. First to benefit from this will be the Lower Thames Crossing project, which will have time to gain approval on planning permissions and approvals, and will streamline the process by having a single point of contact.
A new dedicated body will be established to be this point of contact, the Defra Group Infrastructure Board, which will handle environmental concerns for at least 49 other major infrastructure projects, including Hinkley Point C, East West Rail, and the Heathrow expansion.
It is hoped that the establishment of this board will help to avoid future situations such as the HS2 bat tunnel, accelerating planning permissions while still protecting the environment.
Deputy prime minister and housing secretary, Angela Rayner, said: “We have been stuck with a status quo that has stopped us building the homes we need, and has done nothing for nature’s recovery.
“Communities deserve better, that’s why we’re pushing ahead with our pro-growth reforms to not only deliver vital homes and infrastructure, but drive real, lasting recovery for the environment.
“This is another step towards our 1.5 million homes Plan for Change target which will restore the dream of homeownership, end the housing crisis, and boost economic growth across the country.”
Could environmental reforms work with Environmental Delivery Plans?
With the publication of the Planning & Infrastructure Bill in March, Environmental Delivery Plans (EDP) were proposed to promote development and nature recovery.
Writing for PBC Today in June, James Clark of Foot Anstey discussed the potential and the challenges of EDPs, including its implementation, and the Nature Restoration Levy.
James wrote: “In principle, these changes will be welcomed by developers and will present opportunities for private, commercial and charitable landowners to promote their land as suitable sites for conservation measures funded by the NRL.
“However, concerns remain regarding the transition phase prior to EDPs coming into force and how they will work in practice.
“The levies set by Natural England will also be critical to the success of EDPs; developers will otherwise prefer to provide on-site mitigation if doing so is cheaper than paying the NRL.
“It will take time before EDPs are in place across England. It remains to be seen how Natural England will prioritise the preparation of EDPs and whether it will have the resources to bring them forward at the pace and scale needed to address the environmental constraints holding back development.”
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