Planning Bill is a huge opportunity to save British construction
March 11, 2025
The Government has finally unveiled the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, introducing a number of measures that change some fundamental elements of how planning works.
Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), commented:
“The Labour Government is wasting no time in proving that their manifesto pledges on planning reform are real. Planning is a considerable barrier to growth and delivery, not just for housebuilders but for all construction projects, and it had a knock-on effect to the broader industry because clients spend so much of their budget on bureaucracy, not on project outcomes.”
The Government announced a series of reforms including:
- Compulsory purchase powers are simplified, and land purchased at ‘closer to existing use’ levels.
- Planning committee reforms to ensure smaller schemes are not disproportionately impacted by planning policies.
- Planning fees to be set locally in order to cover costs
- Strengthening of Development Corporations so that large scale development is easier to deliver
- Reintroduction of Strategic planning, known as spatial development strategies
- Nature restoration fund to remove some of the legal and time-consuming processes to meet environmental regulations
- A faster National Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime
- Grid reforms, for example to prioritise clean power connections and give energy discounts to those living near new infrastructure
- Reduce the legal challenges of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP)
Rico Wojtulewicz, NFB Head of Policy and Market Insight, added:
“We commend the Government for taking action on their promises of planning reform. For too long, pledges to prioritise SME and streamlining the planning system have been a running joke in the housebuilding industry.
While we believe the Planning and Infrastructure Bill could go further, we have been lobbying for many of the proposed reforms such as stronger compulsory powers, more effective development corporations, less planning committee interference on a defined site size, and spatial planning.
These reforms will improve land arrangement opportunities, provide competition and provide transparency on development costs. All while ensuring discretion is minimised rather than being central to decision making.”
However, the NFB have raised some concerns over the proposal for local planning department s to set their own fees, Rico Wojtulewicz warned:
“Planning fees have already risen twice in the last five years, with no service improvement. An ‘Ofsted for planning’ is essential and application fees should not rise when more than 10% of statutory determination periods are breached. Planning departments should not be able to set their own fees. Growth is impossible in an environment where inefficiency and unaccountability is subsidised.
While there is still progress to be made, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill demonstrates that planning reform is real and not just a campaign slogan.”
You May Also Enjoy
The Future of Urban Real Estate: Trends and Predictions for 2026
Affordability pressures, hybrid work arrangements, and steep borrowing costs are heavy influences on urban real estate for 2026. We’re seeing an increase in mixed-use development and a renewed focus from investors on markets with a steady demand. Markets that can balance housing access, transportation, lifestyle amenities, and flexible workplaces will come out on top. Major…
Read More 
London’s prime residential market isn’t falling — it’s repricing
By Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners London’s prime residential market has looked subdued by global standards, but framing current conditions as a decline overlooks the more important underlying dynamic. The market is undergoing structural repricing driven by higher interest rates, shifting tax policy and a more volatile geopolitical environment. This is not…
Read More 
Foxtons Lettings Market Index – April 2026
Market activity strengthens with applicant demand recovering and supply remaining ahead of last year After the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, April provides the final snapshot of market conditions ahead of implementation, offering a clear benchmark for how the sector is positioned entering this new regulatory environment. The lettings market strengthened through the…
Read More 
Five hidden costs catching home buyers out
FIVE hidden costs that’re catching home buyers out, AFTER they put their offer in, says expert • Buyers often focus on deposits and mortgages, but overlook thousands in extra costs • Delays, surveys and legal fees can quickly inflate budgets • Unexpected gaps in funding are becoming increasingly common A lot of home buyers think…
Read More 
Housing Insight Report: March 2026
Buyer activity and sales agreed picked up this month as the housing market entered the spring season, with increased stock levels giving consumers more choice despite ongoing affordability pressures. Meanwhile, the rental market remained highly competitive, as tenant demand continued to outstrip supply and concerns over future regulation weighed on landlord confidence. Sales 1. The…
Read More 
Renters’ Rights Act risks leaving the tenants it set out to protect with fewer options
Fewer than a third of landlords are fully aware that the Renters’ Rights Act bans advance rent payments of more than one month, according to new research from LRG. The survey of 650 landlords and tenants across England and Wales found that 43% know the rules have changed but remain uncertain of the details, while…
Read More