The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has put forward several measures to simplify the approval process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) across England, Scotland, and Wales. These include regular reviews of National Policy Statements (NPSs), simplifying the consenting process, and introducing greater flexibility in the planning process.
The overarching goal is to make it easier for infrastructure projects to gain approval, ensuring that developments, including those needed to support housing growth, proceed without unnecessary delays. We welcome the proposals and support efforts to make the planning process more efficient.
Public support should influence project speed
Projects with strong public backing should be prioritised for approval, while those with lower support levels should undergo more thorough consultation. This approach would prevent delays caused by small but vocal opposition groups while ensuring that major concerns are properly addressed.
To underpin this approach, NSIPs should be required to align with Local Plans, and alternative consenting routes for projects without clear public backing should be closed. Once projects are approved, any changes should remain in line with the original plans to prevent significant deviations from agreed proposals. Clear guidance is needed on what alterations to projects will be considered, with financial penalties for developers who overpromise and make late-stage amendments.
Local priorities must be considered
To ensure that new infrastructure aligns with community needs, Propertymark argues that any strategic infrastructure project should support local authority Local Plans. Projects that conflict with these plans could face delays or cancellations, and clear guidelines should be in place to prevent such conflicts from occurring.
We disagree with the proposal to delay meeting people who may be eligible for compensation (Category 3 persons) until after an application has been accepted. Delaying any meeting with wider community groups is likely to lead to potential delays further on in the application process, with the potential to cancel or considerably delay projects after the approval stage rather than during the pre-application process.
Flexibility needs clearly defined limits
While greater flexibility in the planning process is welcomed, Propertymark stresses that clear rules are needed to prevent disputes and legal challenges. Without defined guidelines on when and how flexibility can be applied, there is a risk that objectors could use process variations to delay projects unnecessarily.
Consultation progression
Propertymark will continue engaging with the UK Government to advocate for planning reforms that balance efficiency with community interests. We will update members on developments and guide them on how the changes may affect property professionals as the proposals progress.
