The UK government has recently introduced a Planning Reform Working Paper, outlining changes aimed at streamlining the consenting process mainly for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). But what about all other types of Planning Applications?
These reforms seek to address long-standing delays in the approval of critical infrastructure, such as roads, railways, energy facilities, and large-scale developments. However, many industry experts and stakeholders question whether the proposed changes go far enough in ensuring an efficient, timely, and effective planning system that meets the country’s growing economic and environmental demands at all levels.
The Growing Challenges of the Current System
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects do play a significant part in the UK’s economic development, and the approval process has become increasingly slow and cumbersome. In 2012, the average decision time for NSIP applications was 2.1 years. By 2021, this had more than doubled to 4.6 years, creating significant delays in infrastructure delivery. These prolonged timelines not only impact economic growth but also hinder the UK’s ability to meet ambitious environmental and energy targets, particularly in the development of renewable energy projects. This also impact the resources available to deal with other types of Planning Applications across the country.
A key issue lies in the continually increasing complexity of the current consenting process over the years, which involves extensive consultations, environmental assessments, and legal challenges. While these safeguards may be needed to ensure sustainable development, the increasing bureaucracy has led to bottlenecks that slow down the implementation of critical, major and minor applications as well.
What Do the Proposed Reforms Include?
The government’s Planning Reform Working Paper aims to streamline the planning and consenting process by introducing several key measures:
More Frequent Updates to National Policy Statements (NPS)
National Policy Statements provide a framework for NSIP decision-making, but they have historically been updated infrequently. The proposed reforms suggest more regular reviews to ensure that policies remain relevant and adaptable to evolving infrastructure needs.
Enhanced Digitalisation of the Planning Process
The use of digital tools and technology in the planning system aims to make the process more transparent, efficient, and accessible for stakeholders. The planning system has been largely digitized for many years now, so we’re not sure what further digital tools are planned, and if they will help significantly.
A Streamlined Consultation Process
By simplifying consultation requirements, the government hopes to reduce administrative delays while still maintaining opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement. This should also apply to all planning applications.
Increased Resources for Decision-Making Bodies
Acknowledging that a lack of funding and staffing within planning authorities has contributed to delays, the government aims to allocate additional resources to improve the speed of decision-making. This has been a problem for many years, and the additional resources required will be extensive.
Faster Judicial Reviews and Appeals
Legal challenges are often a major source of delay in the planning system. The proposed changes include measures to speed up the judicial review process while ensuring that legitimate concerns are still addressed effectively. It will be interesting to find out what these measures will be, as they will again need to be extensive to make any significant improvements.
Are These Changes Enough?
While the reforms have been welcomed as a step in the right direction, there are concerns that they do not go far enough to fully address the underlying issues at all levels in the UK’s planning system. Industry professionals argue that:
– The reforms still lack bold, transformational changes – While streamlining consultations and digitizing processes are positive steps, they do not fundamentally alter the way major (and minor) projects are planned and approved. A much-needed full overhaul has been long promised by successive governments, but never implemented.
– Greater investment is needed in planning authorities – Simply allocating additional resources may not be enough; significant investment in skills, training, and infrastructure within planning departments is essential. Understanding and limiting individuals’ specific remits, and a default position in favour of, rather than against development, should be reiterated in National Planning Policy
– Legal and environmental considerations remain complex – Any efforts to accelerate planning decisions must still balance the need for environmental assessments and legal scrutiny. Finding the right balance between speed and sustainability remains a challenge, but development progressing in a timely manner must be the fundamental goal.
The Future of UK Planning
The proposed planning and consent reforms highlight the government’s recognition of the pressing need to accelerate infrastructure development and improve the planning system. However, if the UK is to meet its ambitious net-zero targets, improve transport networks, and boost economic growth, further and wider comprehensive reforms may be necessary, including a fuller overhaul at all levels of the system. A simplified holistic approach, incorporating funding, skills development, technological innovation, and legal & regulatory streamlining, will also be critical in ensuring the planning system is fit for purpose in the coming decades.
The continual insistence on pushing the cost of all regulatory change on the private sector also remains a key obstacle in ensuring much-needed development materializes after a planning approval is actually secured, especially for small to medium sized developments.
With continually increasing building costs too, margins are currently
tighter than ever to the point where more approvals will simply not be seen through to the construction stage
For now, the industry will be closely watching how these proposed reforms unfold – and whether they can truly deliver a more efficient and effective planning process for the UK’s future needs.
