{"id":8432,"date":"2025-10-14T07:47:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T07:47:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cita.co.uk\/news\/?p=8432"},"modified":"2025-10-14T07:47:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T07:47:08","slug":"planning-bill-beefed-up-with-new-powers-to-tackle-blockers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cita.co.uk\/news\/planning-bill-beefed-up-with-new-powers-to-tackle-blockers\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning Bill beefed up with new powers to tackle \u2018blockers\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The government has just announced late-stage amendments to its flagship Planning and Infrastructure Bill, to hand itself sweeping new powers to break through planning gridlock and fast-track housing, energy and water schemes across the country.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The move comes as part of a pro-growth package tied to the flagship Planning and Infrastructure Bill \u2013 now racing through Parliament \u2013 which ministers say will \u201cunshackle Britain\u201d from red tape and delays.<\/p>\n

If passed, the reforms would let the Housing Secretary step in to stop councils rejecting major schemes, cut the time projects spend tangled in the courts, and accelerate delivery of reservoirs, windfarms and large housing developments.<\/p>\n

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Officials claim the full package could boost the economy by \u00a37.5bn over the next decade.<\/p>\n

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said the system had been \u201cshackled by governments unwilling to overhaul the stubborn planning system that has erected barriers to building at every turn\u201d.<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cSluggish planning has real-world consequences. Every new house blocked deprives a family of a home. Every infrastructure project that gets delayed blocks someone from a much-needed job. This will now end.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under the plans, ministers would be able to issue \u201cholding directions\u201d to stop councils turning down projects while they consider using their call-in powers \u2013 reversing rules that currently only allow intervention when councils approve schemes.<\/p>\n

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The changes are designed to push through more housing, energy and infrastructure schemes after the government claimed nearly 900 major housing projects were blocked by councils last year.<\/p>\n

Other measures include:<\/p>\n