£100 million to speed up planning approvals

The government has announced a £100 million investment to speed up planning approvals.

It is hoped a more dynamic, modern approach to regulation will provide new homes, better transport and cleaner energy more quickly.

Strategic Policy Statements will give Natural England and the Environment Agency will get a mandate to prioritise outcomes over process, speeding up decision-making while maintaining high environmental standards.

This will be backed by £100 million, spread over three years, to fund specialist staff and modern digital systems, so regulators can help developers to complete environmental assessments more quickly and accurately.

A new Infrastructure Unit will be set up to keep major projects on track and tackle planning problems as they emerge. The most complex issues will be passed to the Defra Infrastructure Board for further scrutiny.

A new Development Industry Council will also be launched to bring developers and government together in the spring to discuss practical solutions to planning challenges. 

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.”

Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy said: “These measures will accelerate the Environment Agency’s ongoing shift from process-driven to outcomes-focused regulation, helping to unblock development while protecting the environment we all rely on. 

“We will play a key role as Lead Environment Regulator for East West Rail, bringing developers and regulators together to prevent environmental damage and streamline approvals.”