Labour has introduced new measures to limit legal challenges against major infrastructure projects as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill becomes law. Under the changes, local campaigners will have only one opportunity to bring a legal challenge against government-backed projects, down from the current three, when cases are deemed 'hopeless'. The move aims to speed up the construction of homes and critical infrastructure.
Housing secretary Steve Reed said: 'Britain's growth has been held back by a sluggish planning system, slamming the brakes on building and standing in the way of fixing the housing crisis for good. Today that changes. Our landmark Planning and Infrastructure Act will tear down barriers to growth.' The bill also gives development corporations extra powers to accelerate large-scale projects, including new towns and affordable homes.
Under current rules, anyone can challenge a government decision on infrastructure projects via a paper submission. Around 58 per cent of decisions are now subject to legal challenge, according to Lord Frederick Ponsonby. He noted that each challenge takes 1.4 years to conclude, and that the new process would stop 'hopeless legal challenges' from slowing projects. When a case is judged by the High Court to be 'totally without merit', it will not be possible to ask the Court of Appeal to reconsider.
The bill also enacts Labour's pledge to give energy bill discounts of up to £2,500 over the next decade for communities hosting new pylons and transmission infrastructure. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'We promised to grasp the nettle of planning reform – and we’re delivering. This landmark legislation ends years of dither and delay that has held back too many vital projects.' Nick Harris, chief executive of National Highways, added that the Act will help streamline delivery of transport infrastructure needed to unlock housing and support economic development.
