The delivery of “high quality infrastructure” will “accelerate” under the new Labour government’s plans to reform the planning system with new legislation brought forward in this Parliament, according to the King’s Speech on 17 July.
The King’s Speech is a speech read out by the King in the Lords Chamber at the State Opening of Parliament. It sets out the program of legislation that the new Government hopes to pursue in the forthcoming parliamentary session.
More than 30 bills were announced, including many which will affect the civil engineering sector, such as those to deliver manifesto-promised rail reform.
However, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill was picked out by many as having the most potential for impact on projects.
The government said the Bill would “play a key role in addressing [planning] constraint, unlocking more housing and infrastructure across the country and supporting sustained economic growth. The planning system must be an enabler of growth – enabling democratic engagement with how, not if, homes and infrastructure are built”.
It also said the Bill would “accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects in alignment with our industrial, energy, and transport strategies”.
Critically the government said the Bill would “accelerate housebuilding and infrastructure delivery” by “streamlining the delivery process for critical infrastructure including accelerating upgrades to the national grid and boosting renewable energy, which will benefit local communities, unlock delivery of our 2030 clean power mission and net zero obligations, and secure domestic energy security”.
It continued: “We will simplify the consenting process for major infrastructure projects and enable relevant, new and improved National Policy Statements to come forward, establishing a review process that provides the opportunity for them to be updated every five years, giving increased certainty to developers and communities.”
The Bill was welcomed by the sector, but representatives of civil engineering firms requested more details and for the government to move quickly to implementation.
Civil engineering firms – ‘consultation can’t come soon enough’
Mott MacDonald managing director for UK and Europe Richard Risdon said: “The proposals to reform planning are absolutely central to delivering economic growth, getting Britain building and accelerating the delivery of high-quality infrastructure.”
Arup energy leader UKIMEA Mark Neller said: “The King’s Speech demonstrates Labour’s commitment to making Britain a clean energy superpower and achieving a carbon-free electricity network by 2030. These two goals are both commendable and necessary.
“However, the execution of this mission will require a transformative change in mindset across government departments, particularly DESNZ, Ofgem, and (N)ESO. Once the dust has fully settled, this new government can expect to quickly face pressure to deliver results.
“Namely, the delivery of offshore wind, transmission upgrades and carbon capture and storage. It is no exaggeration to say the success of this mission will be essential to the success of this government.”
AtkinsRéalis UK & Ireland president Richard Robinson said: “We welcome the Government’s ambition to accelerate housebuilding and infrastructure delivery, crucial for unlocking economic growth in communities across the UK.
“To deliver its ambitions, the Government must swiftly transition from ambition to action. The proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill must speed up the journey from project inception to delivery, streamline the planning system, adopt holistic development strategies, and foster closer collaboration between the public and private sectors to secure investment and ensure that the benefits of infrastructure development are felt across the country.”
Aecom chief executive, Europe and India Colin Wood said: “The ambitions laid out by the new government in today’s King’s Speech cannot be achieved by the public sector alone. Industry has the in-depth expertise and can provide the strategic advice required to deliver the new, modernised and decarbonised infrastructure that the UK desperately needs.
“Planning reform has been long overdue. It’s the only way to avoid regulatory bottlenecks against growth and deliver infrastructure at the scale and pace needed. This is one of the building blocks that will determine the success of the Government’s commitments to accelerate growth, build homes and drive our energy transition through Great British Energy.”
Arcadis head of strategic research Simon Rawlinson said: “The Renter’s Reform Bill is very comprehensive whereas the Planning and Infrastructure Bill is very much in outline. The simplification measures proposed will need to be very extensive to have an effect – the proposed consultation can’t come soon enough.”
Skanska UK president and CEO Katy Dowding said: “I welcome the commitment demonstrated today to drive growth by unlocking the construction of critical infrastructure and housing.
“The new government has been proactive in its engagement with experts across our industry so far, a positive first step in understanding the significant contribution to economic growth and social value our sector makes to UK plc.”
Turner & Townsend managing director, infrastructure, UK James Corrigan said: “There was welcome recognition from this King’s Speech that infrastructure delivery is at the very heart of delivering economic growth across the UK. The sector knows that better regional connectivity, improved logistics, and streamlined day-to-day transport are essential for improving people’s lives, reducing inequality, and boosting productivity.
“The industry will appreciate the continued commitment to infrastructure delivery and the ambition to go faster and do more – but this does not take away from the underlying systemic challenges the sector faces. Persistent skills shortages threaten to derail this ambitious programme if they are not tackled head on.”
Trade bodies – ambition welcomed
Institution of Civil Engineers interim associate director of policy David Hawkes said: “Strategic, well-planned, well-delivered infrastructure improves peoples lives.
“While more detail is needed on the legislation the new Government has proposed in the King’s Speech, it is encouraging to see the scope and ambition of its plans for energy, transport, devolution, and planning reform.
“The Institution of Civil Engineers has been calling for clear plans in these areas for some time.
“Now it’s time to pick up the pace and deliver an infrastructure system that can meet the UK’s economic, social, and environmental goals.”
Ceca (the Civil Engineering Contractors Association) director of operations Marie-Claude Hemming said: “Today’s announcement demonstrates that the new Government has taken public concern on board and is committed to delivering improved infrastructure, fit for a 21st century society.
“The challenge now is ensuring this bumper volume of legislation is adequately scrutinised and delivered within Parliamentary timeframes.
“As ever, the Civil Engineering Contractors Association stand ready to support our policy makers in ensuring that together we can deliver the world class infrastructure our country so desperately needs.”
Association for Consultancy and Engineering and the Environmental Industries Commission chief executive officer Kate Jennings said: “By prioritising an industrial strategy, infrastructure investment and planning at speed, in today’s King’s Speech, the new government is taking on board key asks from our members.
“Investment in infrastructure and education for building the capacity of our sector are key to unlocking the UK’s potential for growth. A renewed commitment to transparency and accountability will undeniably help in strengthening the stability of the entire project pipeline.”
ENA – a trade association representing the energy networks – director of external affairs Ross Easton said: “We’re really pleased to see promised measures on accelerating energy infrastructure included in the King’s Speech.
“Alongside vital reforms to the connections queue, these legislative changes are much needed if we are to support the government’s ambitions for clean energy. We’ll need to see the exact details of what’s in the Bill, but this is certainly encouraging.”
RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) president Tina Paillet said: “It’s welcome that planning reforms sat at the heart of the 35 draft bills read out by King Charles today. Both housing and infrastructure are huge economic enablers; numerous studies have identified the positive correlation between GDP growth and infrastructure delivery.
“Today’s King’s Speech is yet another step in the right direction from Labour policymakers, who have pledged to ‘take the brakes off Britain’ by introducing an ambitious legislative agenda which will get the UK building again, improve living standards, and help deliver the infrastructure to power a net-zero economy.
“The actions across these will need to be linked to ensure success, and as RICS professionals work across all these agendas, they will collectively provide expertise needed to progress these missions.”
RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) president Muyiwa Oki said: “The government has set out an ambitious parliamentary agenda – now, we need action.
“Delivering high-quality, sustainable buildings and places will be at the heart of growing the economy. So, commitments to overhaul the planning system and strengthen the capacity of local planning authorities through the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill are welcome.
Law firms – more detail needed
BDB Pitmans partner Angus Walker said: “The government has promised to simplify the consenting process for major infrastructure projects and enable relevant, new and improved National Policy Statements to come forward. It has also promised to establish a review process that provides the opportunity for these to be updated every five years, giving increased certainty to developers and communities.
“Streamlining the delivery process for critical infrastructure including accelerating upgrades to the national grid and boosting renewable energy is to be welcomed. It will benefit local communities, unlock delivery of the 2030 clean power mission and net zero obligations, whilst securing domestic energy security.”
Pinsent Masons planning partner Jamie Lockerbie said: “The King’s surprisingly brief reference to planning reform did not elaborate on how this would “get Britain building” nor did he refer to the much talked about return of mandatory house-building targets. He did though refer to a new partnership between his Government and business and working people.
“Given it looks like there will not be significant amounts of new money to go into state spending, it seems inevitable that much of the actual delivery of the much discussed 1.5M new homes will fall to public/private partnerships – most likely between local authorities and other state bodies and private sector developers.”
Other companies in the sector – government must work with industry players
Aggregate Industries CEO Lee Sleight said: “We are heartily encouraged to see the King today reinforcing the focus for the new Labour Government in driving forward its plans for the Infrastructure and Housing Bill.
“Planning reform in the UK will allow significant infrastructure projects and housing developments to progress quicker. These major projects have suffered as a result of the current planning system, which has in turn created a challenging market for those in the construction supply chain.
“The government’s planning reform intentions are positive, however sustainability must be central to this when it comes to planning applications and decision making. Together the whole industry must responsibly embrace the King’s announcement for sustainable growth but can only achieve this by planning and building in a circular and wholly sustainable way.”
Associated British Ports capital projects and engineering director Francis Paonessa said: “Associated British Ports has an ambitious pipeline of transformational investment projects. The UK Government has a key role in us getting on with delivery through providing a better framework of enabling polices and regulation.
“We’re encouraged to see the government’s welcome early statements about unblocking growth reflected in the legislative agenda set out in the Kings Speech. We now look to the government to work with industry players like ABP to ensure that the detail of policy is actually effective.”
Foresight Solar Fund Limited fund manager Ross Driver said: “Labour has set out its ambitions to secure the country’s energy independence. Today’s speech from HRH King Charles marks the government’s clear intention to realise them through initiatives such as Great British Energy.
“We’re heartened by the government’s clear refusal to allow planning concerns – which have plagued critical solar development with delays and refusals for far too long – to impede the construction of much-needed national infrastructure. Reforming and properly resourcing the planning system will also go a long way to bolster confidence in the delivery of these much-needed projects.”
Think tanks and other organisations
Landscape Institute president Carolin Göhler said: “The Landscape Institute (LI) supports the government’s emphasis on growth and welcomes its proposals to reform the planning system, provided that all new development is well-designed, constructed and managed to ensure its sustainability and fitness for future generations to enjoy.
“In meeting challenging targets for both housing and infrastructure, we should be taking a long-term view of costs and consequences, and ensure that the wider environment is properly valued. Taking a landscape-led approach to both plans and projects can help enable opportunities, avoid unexpected adversities, and provide better value solutions.”
Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) head of parliamentary engagement Alasdair Johnstone said: “The public expect the new government to deliver on its promises and business want to see a stable environment in which to invest. Legislation to reform the planning system and finance the new generation of renewable energy infrastructure could help in that delivery.”
The Wildlife Trusts chief executive Craig Bennett said: “Protecting 30% of UK land and sea for nature by 2030 should be the central pillar of our planning system. Every new development – whether it’s houses, transport hubs or green energy infrastructure – needs to help tackle the nature and climate crisis.
“Getting Britain building must also mean creating wetlands and wildflower meadows – and providing people with better access to nature to address health inequalities.”
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