Planning, building and the environment

Reform of the planning system

The Planning Act 2008 (external link) was granted Royal Assent on 26 November 2008. The Act builds on the proposals set out in the Planning White Paper and introduces a new system for nationally significant infrastructure planning, alongside further reforms to the town and country planning system and the introduction of a Community Infrastructure Levy.

The Planning White Paper Planning for a Sustainable Future sets out our detailed proposals for reform of the planning system, building on Kate Barker's recommendations for improving the speed, responsiveness and efficiency in land use planning, and taking forward Kate Barker's and Rod Eddington's proposals for reform of major infrastructure planning. These proposals were consulted on over the summer of 2007. The Government's response to the consultation was published on 27 November 2007. It's conclusions have informed the proposals in the Planning Bill.