Planning reforms to accelerate the delivery of new homes, roads and railways, and clean energy projects will boost the UK economy by billions of pounds, according to new analysis.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill’s Impact Assessment, published yesterday, claims the measure could benefit the economy by up to £7.5 billion over the next 10 years.
The government says a growing economy is at the heart of its Plan for Change by making it quicker and easier to build 1.5 million new homes, and that the reforms will turn the tide of the housing crisis and ensure critical infrastructure – including public transport links and clean energy projects that will protect billpayers – is accelerated.
Lower costs for businesses, fewer delays and more certainty as a result of the Bill’s measures could lead to further investment and provide an additional boost to the economy.
Even this assessment is expected to be an underestimate of the true economic value the reforms will have in boosting development, the government suggests. The current assessment also does not account for recent amendments to the Bill to overhaul the pre-application stage for critical infrastructure, which government analysis suggests will add another £1 billion over this Parliament.
This boost to the economy is on top of the measures already implemented in what the government calls “the new pro-growth National Planning Policy Framework” (NPPF). The Office for Budget Responsibility recently said the changes to NPPF alone will drive housebuilding to its highest level in over 40 years, and deliver an additional £6.8 billion by 2029/2030.
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner says: “Getting Britain building will not only boost economic growth but ensure we deliver the homes and infrastructure working people deserve. This landmark pro-growth Bill will get spades in the ground and the foundations laid for a new generation of homes, as we deliver on our Plan for Change.”
The analysis has also been given a ‘green rating’ by the Regulatory Policy Committee, which means the assessment is considered robust and fit for purpose by the independent scrutiny body that considers them.
A government statement states: “The Bill will help deliver on the Plan for Change by streamlining the building of 1.5 million homes and crucial infrastructure needed to make Britain a clean energy superpower and protect billpayers and reduce future energy shocks. This will help put money back into the pockets of working people and support the government’s push to make at least 150 decisions on major infrastructure projects this Parliament, with 17 decided so far.”
