MHCLG's Planning and Infrastructure Bill reaches second reading stage

Article summary

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill has reached its second reading in Parliament. The Bill introduces reforms including a national scheme of delegation for planning decisions, establishment of a Nature Restoration Fund, strengthened compulsory purchase powers, and streamlined consultation processes for major infrastructure projects. It aims to deliver 1.5m homes and 150 major infrastructure project decisions within the current Parliament. The legislation includes provisions for a 'first ready, first connected' system for clean energy projects and offers affected residents up to £2,500 in energy bill reductions over ten years. The Bill also limits legal challenges to major infrastructure decisions to one attempt for cases deemed meritless.