This Fortnight in Westminster: Planning & Infrastructure Bill, Tory Net Zero Reversal, Devolution Plans Submitted, and Renewables DCO Approved

March

2025

Author

Daniel Fryd

📝 Planning - Government Introduces Planning and Infrastructure Bill

Government formally introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, aimed at overhauling the planning system and reducing the bureaucratic hurdles blocking the delivery of new homes and critical infrastructure. Announcing the Bill, Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said the reforms “are at the heart of our Plan for Change, ensuring we are backing the builders, taking on the blockers, and delivering the homes and infrastructure this country so badly needs.”
Key features of the bill cover: a streamlined consultation process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP); up to £2,500 over ten years of energy bill discounts to those who live up to 500m from pylons; councils will be able to set their own planning fees; development corporations will gain expanded powers to build new towns; councils and mayors will be granted powers enhanced CPO powers to use land for development without ministerial approval if there are no objections; simplifications of the offshore wind farm commissioning process; and new spatial development strategies to guide housing and infrastructure planning across multiple councils.

Kevin Hollinrake, Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, expressed support for many of the reforms included in the bill, emphasising that “we want the government to succeed” in its ambition to deliver 1.5 million new homes. However, he strongly criticised the government's decision to reduce the influence of councillors through the planning process, describing the planning committee reforms as “a really fundamental mistake.”
Cllr Adam Hug (Labour), Leader of Westminster City Council, supported the reforms but questioned the reduction of councillor power in decision-making, stating that “democratic role of councillors in decision-making is the backbone of the English planning system, and this should not be diminished.”

The bill will now make its way through parliament and is expected to have second reading at the House of Commons on 24th March.

Interim Plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) from local authorities in two-tier areas must be submitted to MHCLG by tomorrow, 21st March.
Some local authority groups have already met and shared their joint LGR plans publicly, whilst others are leaving it until tomorrow to share the detail. The reports themselves range from the very detailed - with solid preferences being drawn - to other areas where no agreements have been reached.

On behalf of Oxfordshire councils, Councillor Liz Leffman (Lib Dem), Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said a single county unitary for Oxfordshire “is the best interests of all our residents and aligns with the government’s ambitions for local government as expressed in the white paper.
Hertfordshire councils' Interim Response set out how they are are considerations options ranging from one to four unitary authorities, whilst Hampshire councils are yet to reach a consensus on a preferred option for the unitary structures, and will push for the Isle of Wight should remain as a separate unitary authority.

Expect the vast majority of Council areas to have published their joint responses by close of play tomorrow 21 March.

Kemi Badenoch MP has introduced a significant Conservative Party policy overhaul, declaring that achieving Net Zero by 2050 is unattainable. This marks a sharp departure from her predecessor's positions, who upheld cross-party consensus and backed incentives to combat climate change.

Former Conservative Prime Minister Baroness Theresa May heavily criticised the move, writing on X that “Net zero by 2050 is challenging but achievable. It is supported by the scientific community and backed by the independent Climate Change Committee as being not just necessary but feasible and cost-effective.”
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband MP also critiqued the announcement, stating the Conservative Party were “off to the whacky races” over the shift in policy, also emphasising the change was “anti-business, anti-growth, anti-jobs and the wrong choice for Britain”.

With this being the first Conservative policy announcement since Labour took power, Badenoch will continue to define the direction of the Conservative Party under her leadership, in a bid to bring back lost voters, counter threats from the Reform Party and position her party as a winner for the next General Election.

North Lincolnshire Green Energy Park was granted development consent by Ed Miliband MP. The planning application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in 2022, with recommendations made to the Secretary of State in 2023.
Planned for construction at Flixborough Wharf on the River Trent, the facility will process up to 760,000 tonnes of non-recyclable waste each year, transforming it into electricity, heat, and steam for industrial applications. Designed as a sustainable energy initiative, the project seeks to contribute to UK’s energy security while advancing its environmental goals by converting waste into a valuable power source.

North Lincolnshire Council Leader Cllr Rob Waltham (Conservative) expressed disappointment, criticising the government for disregarding local opposition. Concerns over environmental impact, air quality, and long-term sustainability were raised. Cllr Waltham said, "I am disappointed that the government has ignored the voices of local residents and the council, approving a large-scale waste incineration plant in Flixborough,". Cllr Waltham also emphasised the council has consistently opposed the project, arguing that Flixborough is an unsuitable location for "burning waste transported from other parts of the country".

The construction phase could span up to six years, with a workforce of up to 600 people on-site. Upon completion, the North Lincolnshire Green Energy Park (NLGEP) will generate over 250 permanent jobs, ranging from apprenticeships to roles for thermal energy specialists. By supplying low-carbon heat and power, the project aims to establish an appealing environment for businesses to set up operations.

Coming up in Parliament:

24 March - House of Commons