New Planning Routes for Crown Development: What You Need to Know

The UK government is shaking up the planning process for Crown development in England, aiming to streamline approvals for projects of national importance. The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 bring into effect new pathways introduced by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA). Here's a breakdown of what this means.

Why the Change?

Government departments have faced hurdles in securing planning permission for crucial projects, especially those requiring urgent attention. The existing framework, established in 2006, has proven ineffective, with processes like mandatory 21-day consultations causing delays. As a result, alternative methods like Special Development Orders have been used, but these aren't always ideal.

What’s New?

Enter two new routes for planning permission:

1. Urgent Crown Development: For projects deemed both nationally important and urgent.
2. Crown Development: For nationally important projects that aren't urgent but still require streamlined processes.

These routes allow government bodies to apply directly to the Secretary of State for planning permission, bypassing local authorities. This change is expected to expedite decision-making and support timely government investments.

Who Does it Affect?

The changes apply only to England, with the existing provisions remaining for Wales. While this shift is significant for public sector projects, there is minimal impact on private businesses, charities, or voluntary organizations. The focus is on enhancing efficiency in public service development, potentially leading to cost savings.

Implementation and Oversight

The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government will oversee the implementation and monitor the impact of these new routes. Although there’s no statutory review clause, the government is committed to refining the process as needed.

Human Rights and EU Compliance

The regulations are deemed compatible with human rights conventions and are not linked to recent European Union legislative changes.

In essence, these regulatory updates aim to remove bureaucratic barriers for vital government projects, allowing for faster and more effective responses to national needs. Keep an eye on how these changes might influence future infrastructure and public service developments in your area.