21 major infrastructure projects have been given the go-ahead in this Labour government’s first year in power
Government infrastructure approvals in the last year include wind farms, airport expansions, and new roads or road upgrades.
The Plan for Change has set a target for the government to have made 150 decisions on major infrastructure, leaving 129 to go in the remaining three years.
The focus is on improving people’s lives
Commuters are a key focus for the government’s decisions so far, with the expansion to Gatwick airport (£2.2bn), the Lower Thames Crossing (£9bn), and the Manchester Simister Island development (as part of a £92bn investment) being headline approvals.
The full list of major infrastructure approvals:
- Gate Burton Energy Park
- Mallard Pass Solar Project
- Sunnica Energy Farm
- Cottam Solar Project
- Bramford to Twinstead
- Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal
- Rivenhall IVMF and Energy Centre
- Heckington Fen Solar Park
- West Burton Solar Project
- Immingham Green Energy Terminal
- North Lincolnshire Green Energy Park
- Lower Thames Crossing
- London Luton Airport Expansion
- Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm
- Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant
- Viking CCS Pipeline
- East Yorkshire Solar Farm
- M5 Junction 10 Improvement Scheme
- Oaklands Farm Solar Park
- Mona Offshore Windfarm
- Byers Gill Solar
- Morgan Offshore Wind Project
- M60/M62/M66 Simister Island
- London Gatwick Airport Expansion
Housing secretary, Steve Reed, said: “We are backing our builders, brickies and businesses to get Britain building.
“We’ve already said yes to major projects that will create more well-paid jobs providing clean power and new roads.
“We will go further to streamline planning rules to speed up new homes, data centres and businesses that will put an affordable home and well-paid job within reach of people in every part of our country.”
Infrastructure is a top priority
Earlier this month, chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves appointed Catherine Howard as her new planning and infrastructure adviser.
Howard works as a planning lawyer and partner, specialising in major infrastructure projects, at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP.
Catherine Howard said: “It is a privilege to take on this position as the Chancellor’s Infrastructure and Planning Adviser, helping the government to achieve a step-change in how we deliver major infrastructure and housing.
“With the right framework in place, good decision-making can enable swift progress – improving our natural environment and supporting the government’s Growth Mission. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill makes major strides towards this goal. I look forward to working with stakeholders to consider how we build on this important agenda.”
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