Overview

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill aims to improve infrastructure planning and delivery, streamline planning processes, introduce a nature restoration levy, and reform compulsory purchase procedures. It also includes provisions relating to electricity infrastructure, transport infrastructure, and development corporations.

Description

Infrastructure

The bill streamlines the planning process for nationally significant infrastructure projects, requiring more frequent reviews of national policy statements and clarifying parliamentary requirements. It grants the Secretary of State the power to disapply the requirement for development consent in certain circumstances, improving efficiency. The bill also addresses electricity infrastructure by modifying the connection process and consents for generating stations and overhead lines in Scotland, introduces a scheme to encourage long-duration electricity storage, and provides benefits for homes near electricity transmission projects. For transport infrastructure, it amends the Highways Act 1980 and the Transport and Works Act 1992, altering fees, procedures and deadlines for orders and schemes, including those for compulsory purchases and introducing deemed consents for marine licenses.

Planning

The bill aims to improve planning decisions by introducing fees for planning applications and mandating training for local planning authorities in England. It introduces spatial development strategies which set out long-term policies for land use.

Development and Nature Recovery

A key element is the creation of Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs), prepared by Natural England and approved by the Secretary of State. EDPs identify environmental impacts of development and specify conservation measures funded by a nature restoration levy paid by developers. The levy amount is determined by charging schedules and subject to regulations ensuring economic viability. Provisions include appeal processes, and the monitoring and reporting of EDP implementation by Natural England. The bill grants Natural England powers to acquire land compulsorily to implement conservation measures.

Development Corporations

The bill amends legislation governing development corporations, including new towns and urban development areas, to incorporate duties to consider sustainable development and climate change mitigation. It also clarifies their powers regarding infrastructure provision and facilitates cooperation with relevant transport authorities.

Compulsory Purchase

The bill modernises compulsory purchase procedures by allowing electronic service of documents, simplifying notice requirements, and introducing an expedited procedure for unoccupied or unclaimed land. It also allows for adjustments to loss payments and introduces new powers for appointing inspectors to oversee compulsory purchase orders.

Government Spending

The bill is expected to lead to increased government spending on infrastructure projects. The exact figures are not specified in the provided text, however, there will be associated costs in relation to establishing and running the nature restoration levy scheme, administrating EDPs, and potentially in relation to government intervention in the planning and development processes.

Groups Affected

• Developers: May be subject to the new nature restoration levy, impacting profitability; changes to planning processes and fees may also affect their businesses.
• Local planning authorities: Will have new responsibilities for training and implementing spatial development strategies; fees and their application are altered.
• Electricity companies: Will be affected by changes to connection agreements and consenting processes; new schemes and regulations affecting long duration electricity storage and benefits for homes close to infrastructure.
• Transport companies and authorities: Will be impacted by changes to fees, procedures and deadlines relating to transport projects; changes to compulsory purchase processes.
• Landowners: Changes to compulsory purchase processes will directly affect them. The nature restoration levy may indirectly impact landowners if the levy affects development on their land.
• Environmental groups: The nature restoration levy and EDPs could improve environmental protection, depending on implementation.
• Residents near infrastructure projects: Could benefit from schemes providing financial assistance related to electricity transmission projects.
• Natural England: Will have significant new responsibilities for administering EDPs, collecting the levy, and potentially carrying out conservation measures.

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