The UK government has published a policy paper to reform the planning process to speed up the delivery of large-scale renewable energy and other infrastructure projects.
The Action Plan for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects includes measures that will streamline delivery of offshore wind as well as support economic growth, bolster energy security and deliver net zero.
A new fast track process will be piloted, with powers for the Secretary of State to set shorter timelines for certain projects.
The changes also include increasing community engagement and making environmental protections more effective.
Departments responsible for NSIPs – Department for Transport, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero – will shortly make announcements on their National Policy Statements which help to set the future direction for infrastructure.
Local Government Minister, Lee Rowley MP said: “We are determined to level up communities, spread opportunity and drive economic growth across the country. For us to meet our goals, it is vital we have the right infrastructure in place.
“The plan we have published today demonstrates the commitment across government to ensuring the planning system supports us to improve our energy security and deliver the major transport links and essential facilities this country needs to thrive.”
The changes in the Action Plan include reviewing and updating National Policy statements more regularly to make sure they clearly set direction which enables more robust decision making.
The government has already asked the National Infrastructure Commission to make recommendations on how the process to renew NPSs can be strengthened and improved.
Reforming environmental regulations around new development and introducing the Environmental Outcomes Report – a new approach that will make environmental protections more effective, reduce bureaucracy and focus on the outcome of development – are also included in the measures.
Commenting on the proposals, RenewableUK’s environmental policy analyst, Juliette Webb, said: “We’re pleased that ministers across four government departments have recognised our key recommendations to reform the planning process as a matter of urgency, to enable much-needed renewable energy projects to go ahead faster.
“The current planning system moves at a glacial pace – it can take four or five years to get approval for an offshore wind farm.
“If we’re to cut people’s energy bills, boost Britain’s energy security and meet our net zero target, the government must reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and streamline the way the system works to make it more agile and responsive.”