Ensuring collaboration and quality
Effective relationships between applicants, local authorities, the Planning Inspectorate, and statutory bodies are key to ensuring that infrastructure projects are delivered effectively and are of high quality. Guidance should clearly set out what applicants need to provide and what outcomes they need to achieve to meet approval requirements.
Propertymark supports UK Government ambitions to streamline the planning system, but removing too many checks and balances could encourage local authorities or the Planning Inspectorate to prioritise less suitable applications simply because they can be processed faster.
A balanced approach
Reforms must strike a balance between speed and quality. Prescriptive guidance would help to standardise pre-application procedures, giving applicants and local authorities greater certainty and consistency. At the same time, flexibility should remain to account for the scale and complexity of individual projects.
Local authorities, statutory consultees and the Planning Inspectorate also need better support and resources to work collaboratively with applicants. Doing so will help ensure that the planning process remains robust while still achieving the goal of faster decision-making.
Maintaining standards while enabling growth
Propertymark welcomes measures that improve the efficiency of infrastructure delivery, recognising that modern transport, energy, and water networks are vital to unlocking new housing and economic growth. However, these developments must continue to meet high standards, enhance local communities, and support the construction of new homes.
We will continue to engage with the UK Government to ensure that the infrastructure planning system delivers both speed and quality — helping the UK meet its housing and growth ambitions without compromising on integrity or outcomes.
