Government’s Latest Amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Key Changes Impacting Planning Permissions and Development

Among the key updates are:

 

1. New Ministerial Power to Prevent Councils Refusing Applications
   Ministers would gain the power to issue “holding directions,” preventing local councils from refusing planning applications while they consider whether to “call in” the application for government review. Currently, this power only applies when councils are set to approve applications.
2. Preventing Major Housing Schemes from Timing Out
   The government has proposed amending existing laws to prevent planning permissions for major housing schemes from expiring during lengthy judicial reviews. This would allow development to continue without being hindered by judicial delays, supporting more timely project delivery.
3. Streamlining Reservoir Approvals
   To address the growing water supply challenge, the government intends to speed up approvals for large reservoirs. A key amendment will allow non-water sector companies to build reservoirs that are automatically considered nationally significant infrastructure projects.
4. Unlocking Onshore Windfarms
   The bill also aims to unlock up to 3GW of onshore wind energy by streamlining the planning process for these projects. This is part of the government’s broader commitment to renewable energy development.
5. Changes to Natural England’s Role
   Proposed amendments will grant Natural England greater discretion to focus on high-impact planning applications, enabling quicker decision-making for cases that present stronger opportunities for nature recovery.

 

These changes reflect the government's goal to accelerate development, particularly in housing and infrastructure, as part of its broader strategy to “build, baby, build” and address the UK’s housing crisis. The amendments will be considered during the Bill’s report stage in the House of Lords, beginning on 20 October 2025.

 

At DHA Planning, we’ll be closely monitoring the progress of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill as it moves through the legislative process. We’ll continue to keep you updated on any key developments and how they may impact the planning and development sectors. Stay tuned for our ongoing insights!