The Planning and Infrastructure Bill receives Royal Assent

The Planning and Infrastructure Act has today received Royal Assent. This Act follows government’s large-scale planning announcements since July 2024, as part of plans to boost capacity in the planning system and accelerate the delivery of 1.5 million homes in this parliament and beyond. 

Some of the key housing changes: 

• A modernisation of the planning system with locally-set planning fees, member training, and a national scheme of delegation
• The introduction of Spatial Development Strategies 
• Reforms to environmental protections such as the Nature Restoration Fund and Environmental Delivery Plans.

This comes alongside this week’s announcement of an updated National Planning Policy Framework, with a consultation open until 10 March. You can read CIH’s reaction to that announcement here. 

Megan Hinch, CIH’s policy manager for supply and planning, responded: “We welcome the government’s commitment to reforming the planning system to ensure it can effectively support the development of much-needed homes. 

“We need to build healthy communities that are sustainable, fit for the future, and accessible for all. It is crucial that housing is planned strategically and holistically to ensure that all new homes have access to necessary infrastructure and nature.  

“We must also ensure that local planning teams have the capacity and resources to implement these changes, and were pleased to see this included in the Autumn Budget. CIH will support our members as these significant reforms are brought into practice, alongside a range of other planning changes with the National Planning Policy Framework”. 

An updated member briefing guide will be published shortly. In the meantime, you can view our work on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill below. 

• What you need to know about the Planning and Infrastructure Bill – March 2025
• CIH House of Commons written evidence submission – May 2025 
• CIH House of Lords parliamentary briefing – September 2025