Infrastructure & Policy Briefing (Monday)

July 20, 2026

Major Infrastructure Reforms Set to Accelerate National Projects

New reforms under the Planning & Infrastructure Act are reshaping how major projects progress through the planning system.

• Pre‑application consultation scrapped for NSIPs Mandatory pre‑application consultation for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects is being removed, potentially cutting up to 12 months from the planning process and saving industry around £1 billion this Parliament.

• Faster approvals for clean energy and transport projects Government aims to decide 150 major infrastructure projects this Parliament — nearly triple the previous period — with early technical support now offered to developers through the Planning Inspectorate.

• 82,000 jobs linked to green‑lit projects Approved schemes including offshore wind farms, energy parks and major transport links are expected to generate more than 82,000 jobs and significantly expand clean energy capacity.

Sector impact These reforms will influence planning teams working on energy, transport, water infrastructure, and large‑scale development, with faster examinations and clearer technical guidance.

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