ABI Director General responds to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
The Bill seeks to deliver on the Labour government’s Plan for Change pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament, and support the delivery of the government’s clean growth and energy by 2030 mission. It will also legislate for the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which was published in December.
Responding to the Bill
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill is a pivotal opportunity to fast-track infrastructure projects and unlock investment to drive growth. ABI members are key enablers of the Government’s growth ambition and, through our Investment Delivery Forum, have committed to invest £100 billion in productive assets and infrastructure over the next decade, including in energy and building new homes.
“We support the Government’s aim to deliver 1.5 million new homes during this parliament. However, it is vital that these homes are not built in areas at risk of flooding and are able to withstand adverse weather. This kind of forward-planning is crucial to protect communities against the effects of climate change. That’s why we will continue to call for these important changes to the UK’s planning and building processes, and for the Government to commit to an annual investment of at least £1 billion a year in flood defences as part of its Spending Review.”
Hannah Gurga
ABI Director General