UK Government Proposes Overhaul of Planning Rules to Accelerate Development

Plans include reducing statutory consultees and offering bill discounts to residents near new power infrastructure.

The UK government is proposing reforms to streamline the planning process and meet its goal of building 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament.
Residents living within half a kilometre of new or upgraded power infrastructure could receive annual bill discounts of £250 for up to 10 years under the new proposals.
Statutory consultees, such as Sport England and the Theatres Trust, may no longer be mandatory for planning consultations, with their scope narrowed to focus on heritage, safety, and environmental protection.
The government aims to reduce delays caused by consultees, citing issues like prolonged response times, automatic objections, and unrealistic recommendations.
Critics, including statutory bodies and opposition figures, have raised concerns about potential impacts on community spaces, cultural institutions, and public health initiatives.