Understanding the New Routes for Crown Development Planning in England

The UK government has introduced new regulations to streamline the process for obtaining planning permission for Crown development projects in England. These changes, guided by the Town and Country Planning (Consequential and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2025, aim to address past challenges and improve efficiency. Here's what you need to know:

What’s the Big Change?

The regulations introduce two new routes for Crown development planning permission in England, as part of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA). These routes are specifically designed for nationally significant projects that may require urgent attention:

1. Urgent Crown Development: This route applies to developments deemed both nationally important and urgent. It allows government departments to bypass the usual local authority processes and apply directly to the Secretary of State.

2. Crown Development: For projects of national importance that aren't urgent, this route also allows direct applications to the Secretary of State, bypassing local planning authorities.

Why the Change?

Previously, securing planning permission for urgent government projects was cumbersome, often delayed by processes that required local authority consultations and inquiries. Such delays were problematic for projects responding to national emergencies or involving sensitive information, such as new prisons or defence facilities. The new routes aim to quicken decision-making and maintain national security where necessary.

Legal and Legislative Context

These changes modify existing legislation, specifically the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The previous urgent Crown development provisions, still applicable in Wales, are now replaced in England by these new routes. Additional statutory instruments complement these regulations to ensure a smooth transition and implementation.

What About the Application Process?

The process has been simplified. Applications for planning permission, including those for listed building consent, can now be submitted using forms that align closely with those published by the Secretary of State. This ensures consistency and clarity, streamlining the application process significantly.

Public and Sector Impact

The government has determined that these changes won't significantly impact private or voluntary sectors, hence no public consultation was deemed necessary. The reforms are expected to benefit public sector projects by facilitating faster planning decisions, potentially saving costs on government capital programmes.

Monitoring and Future Review

While there's no statutory review clause for this legislation, the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government will monitor the effect of these changes to ensure they meet the intended goals of efficiency and security.

In summary, these new regulations mark a significant shift in how planning permissions for Crown developments are handled in England, aiming to expedite processes for critical national projects and improve the effectiveness of government operations.