Government announces regulation changes to fast-track housing delivery
The government has set out new guidelines and investment with the aim of speeding up the delivery of new homes.
The Strategic Policy Statements will give environmental regulators, Natural England and the Environment Agency, a mandate to prioritise outcomes over process, speeding up decision-making while maintaining high environmental standards. This will be backed by £100million, spread over three years, to fund specialist staff and modern digital systems, so regulators can help developers to complete environmental assessments more quickly and accurately – cutting delays.
A new Infrastructure Unit will aim to keep major projects on track, tackling planning problems as they emerge, with the most complex issues passed to the Defra Infrastructure Board for further scrutiny. Moreover, a new Development Industry Council will bring developers and government together in the spring to discuss practical solutions to planning challenges.
The government also announced that efforts to streamline decision-making have led to the appointment of a single, lead environmental regulator for East West Rail, meaning that the Environment Agency will coordinate joined-up advice from all relevant regulators, rather than the developer dealing with overlapping environmental bodies.
This will allow East West Rail to focus on delivering this significant rail project for communities in Oxford, Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Bedford, which is set to unlock £6.7billion in economic growth and support 100,000 new homes.
The government says that it plays a significant role in delivering the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, which could add up to £78billion to the UK economy by 2035 and supports the chancellor’s drive to move “further and faster” to kick-start growth.
Emma Reynolds, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, said: “Our regulators do vital work protecting the environment we all depend on. These Strategic Policy Statements give them a clear mandate to deliver on our twin missions – economic growth and nature recovery.”
“Having one Lead Environmental Regulator in charge speeds up approvals and helps projects like East West Rail to progress at pace, without compromising our ironclad commitment to the environment. This is a win-win situation for jobs, prosperity and nature.”
“Today marks a decisive shift in our drive to make regulation work for the people of Britain, as we build more homes, restore nature and strengthen our communities in a decade of national renewal.”
Environment Agency chief executive, Philip Duffy, said: “These measures will accelerate the Environment Agency’s ongoing shift from process-driven to outcomes-focused regulation, helping to unblock development while protecting the environment we all rely on.”
“We will play a key role as Lead Environment Regulator for East West Rail, bringing developers and regulators together to prevent environmental damage and streamline approvals.”
Natural England chief executive, Marian Spain, said: “The clear direction set out by government today directly aligns with our new corporate strategy, which sets how we are going further and faster to recover nature to support growth, public health and food security.”
“Natural England’s work as Lead Environmental Regulator for the Lower Thames Crossing is already paying dividends, enabling faster decision-making for one of the greenest roads ever. We look forward to seeing similar results for the Environment Agency on the East West Rail project.”
The New Strategic Policy Statements for Natural England and the Environment Agency set out how the regulators should use constrained discretion to support sensible, place-based decision-making, including as part of planning approvals, while ensuring full compliance with environmental law. The regulators will use their professional judgement to reach faster decisions that protect nature while supporting the government’s growth mission. The government says that this will ultimately drive better outcomes for nature recovery, sustainable growth, housebuilding, and infrastructure delivery.
Source: Showhouse
