The government has announced a new unit to tackle planning issues for major projects as they arise
The new infrastructure is a part of a broader package of regulatory reforms intended to speed up the approval of major housing and infrastructure projects.
This includes new Strategic Policy Statements for Natural England and the Environment agency.
New homes, transport options, and clean energy as a result of reforms
Natural England and the Environment Agency are two of the most important regulators in the country, which will both receive a mandate for pushing for outcomes in infrastructure projects.
The new Statements for the regulators will provide both new guidelines to speed up decision-making without harming the environment. New specialist staff and systems will be funded by £100m over three years to help complete environmental assessments.
Meanwhile the new Infrastructure Unit will work to keep projects on track and either prevent planning issues or resolve them as they come up. Any issues too complex for the unit will be passed on to the Defra Infrastructure Board.
A Development Industry Council to allow developers and the government to work more closely, will also take place in the Spring.
East West Rail will also see a Lead Environmental Regulator appointed to streamline the regulatory process. East West Rail is expected to bring £6.7bn in growth as well as 100,000 new homes.
Emma Reynolds, secretary of state for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “Our regulators do vital work protecting the environment we all depend on. These Strategic Policy Statements give them a clear mandate to deliver on our twin missions – economic growth and nature recovery.
“Having one Lead Environmental Regulator in charge speeds up approvals and helps projects like East West Rail to progress at pace, without compromising our ironclad commitment to the environment. This is a win-win situation for jobs, prosperity and nature.
“Today marks a decisive shift in our drive to make regulation work for the people of Britain, as we build more homes, restore nature and strengthen our communities in a decade of national renewal.”
More environmental skills are needed
Earlier this month, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Built Environment (BE) Schools Trust to focus efforts on young people entering the industry, and built environment skills.
The CIC will co-host events and webinars with the BE Schools Trust, as well as share data and promote schemes for removing barriers and increasing numbers of those entering the industry.
Graham Watts, CIC chief executive, said: “I welcome the opportunity to solidify our relationship with the BE Schools Trust. Their unique work with championing the built environment industry in schools and ability to engage with secondary schools is vitally important to the future success of our industry. Important work like this helps to address the skills pipeline issue and showcase the many opportunities available in our industry.”
Terry Watts, BE Schools Trust chief executive, said: “The CIC provide a unique forum where professional bodies in the sector come together, and we are delighted to be a part of it. Members of our professions expect their representatives to support engagement with schools, and we offer unique free, editable educational resources that bring careers information into the classroom, creating awareness of the exciting opportunities in the sector and priming a larger, more diverse talent pipeline for recruitment.”
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