Statutory consultation requirements tied to major infrastructure projects will be scrapped, through amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, cutting down the average two-year statutory pre-consultation period by half and paving the way for new roads, railways, and clean energy projects all beneficial to new housing projects.

A statement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said that developers currently spend too much  time and money on long, technical documents resulting in communities feeling fatigued and confused, a direct result of overly complex planning rules that leave working people deprived of the things their areas need to thrive.

Recognising community voices remain vital, the government will bring the process for infrastructure in line with planning applications for major housing schemes, and set out new statutory guidance to promote meaningful local engagement without repeating these flaws.

The government insists the reforms will also boost the government’s efforts to build 1.5 million homes by making it easier to deliver the roads, reservoirs and energy generation needed to  ‘restore the dream of homeownership to families across the country’.

Commenting on the changes, Deputy Prime Minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner said:

“Critical national infrastructure is key to Britain’s future and security – so we can’t afford to have projects held up by tiresome requirements and uncertainty, caused by a system that is not working for communities or developers and holding back our true potential.”