This week, the Government introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to the House of Commons.
This Bill is key to delivering the Government’s pledge of building 1.5 million homes, making Britain a clean energy superpower and driving up living standards for every community across the country.
To meet our target of delivering 1.5 million homes, the Bill will reform the compulsory purchase process, allowing land to be acquired for projects that are in the public interest. If a project meets this requirement, mayors or councils will be empowered to make decisions themselves without having to go to the Secretary of State first. This will accelerate essential development projects such as social and affordable housing, as well as vital infrastructure including schools and hospitals.
The Bill will streamline National Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) such as reservoirs, clean energy sites and transport links to deliver on our Plan for Change.
The Government is committed to cleaner, greener energy and will introduce new legislation so that people living within 500m of new pylons will get up to £2,500 off their electricity bills over ten years. Additionally, developers will be required to contribute funding for community benefits such as sports clubs, educational programmes or leisure facilities.
A new Nature Restoration Fund will be established to ensure builders can meet their environmental obligations faster and at a greater scale. The fund will bring together contributions from various developers across a local area with a clear strategy and delivery plan for an environmental intervention, rather than having separate, less effective interventions at each site.
Catherine commented:
“The Planning and Infrastructure Bill shows the Labour Government’s clear commitment to tackling the housing crisis and raising living standards for those in Newcastle North and across the country.
“I am pleased that the Bill sets out a clear path to meeting our manifesto pledge to build 1.5 million homes as well as vital infrastructure such as transport links, hospitals and schools.
“We are also dedicated to tackling climate change, and this Bill is proof that we will continue to put the environment at the heart of decision making.”
