Overview

This bill mandates that local authorities in England and Wales assess infrastructure needs for large-scale housing and commercial developments and create plans to address them. Developers will cover the costs of these assessments and plans.

Description

The Local Government (Infrastructure Requirement Plans) Bill requires local planning authorities to assess the infrastructure required to support "housing and commercial development" defined as over 150 dwellings or flats built by one developer within five years. This assessment must consider:

• GP and hospital services
• Water and sewage
• Waste disposal
• School places
• Road and rail network capacity

Authorities must publish an infrastructure requirement plan within three months of the relevant local development document's release. The plan will include a list of proposed developments, an infrastructure needs assessment, and proposals for funding infrastructure provision. The bill mandates consultation with various stakeholders, including health, education, utility, transport providers, and the Environment Agency. Costs of preparing the infrastructure requirement plans are to be borne by the development applicants.

Government Spending

The bill states that any increase in government spending due to this Act will be paid from money provided by Parliament. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Local Planning Authorities: Responsible for conducting assessments, creating plans, and consulting stakeholders. Increased workload and administrative responsibilities.
• Developers: Responsible for funding the infrastructure requirement plan preparation. Potentially increased costs for larger developments.
• Residents: Potentially benefit from improved infrastructure in the long term. Might face temporary disruptions during infrastructure projects.
• Infrastructure providers (water companies, transport providers etc.): Consulted in the planning process. May see increased demand for their services.
• Health and Education Authorities: Involved in consultations and planning for increased service demand.

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