Day 1 Seminar_Infrastructure Planning session_FINAL_web.pptx

PAS Conference Feb 2025 Day 1 Seminar Session - Smarter Infrastructure planning in a changing policy landscape

1. Strategic projects to local plans: Smarter infrastructure planning in a changing policy landscape 27 February 2025

2. Infrastructure matters (more?!) M ission led Government Highest sustained growth in the G7 Clean energy superpower with zero carbon electricity by 2030 Key milestones Deliver 1.5 millions new homes - underpinned by critical infrastructure to support economic growth.  Fast track 150 major infrastructure projects Secure home-grown energy with 95% clean power by 2030 Growth supporting infrastructure Lack of infrastructure is a barrier to growth Addressing local concerns for new housing Bringing in new technologies like laboratories, gigafactories & logistics

3. What is infrastructure? Infrastructure refers to the fundamental facilities, systems, and services that support communities, economic growth, and quality of life. Effective infrastructure planning ensures that development is well-supported, connected, and creates great places to live and work. Infrastructure isn’t just about size but about how systems connect and serve people at different levels.

4. Planning Touch Points

5. Aims of this session Understand the changing p olicy landscape – Explore evolving government policies and why effective infrastructure planning is crucial for delivering growth. Identify key c hallenges for LPAs – Recognise the barriers local planning authorities face where PAS support can help. Strengthen infrastructure planning in LPAs – Map existing infrastructure planning activities. Consider ways to improve coordination and governance across different scales and geographies. Define next steps – Identify key takeaways and actions to implement in your authority.

6. Changing context: governance The failure of the planning regime has not just left us without the homes we need. Britain also lacks other key infrastructure …. such as transport and energy, or gigafactories and data centres needed for industries of the future. HM Government Plan for Change, December 2024 Local Government Reorganisation move to unitary councils comprehensive local plan coverage English Devolution Bill Combined Authorities and CCA Mayoral/CA planning powers & CIL Strategic Development Strategies Energy system planning Strategic Spatial Energy Plans Regional Energy Strategic Plans Capacity and funding Raised planning fees 300 new planners and Pathways to Planning

7. Changing context: legislation Planning and Infrastructure Bill expected March 2025   “ democratic engagement” with the planning system will focus on “how, not if, homes and infrastructure are built” to “speed up and streamline the planning process” 

8. Changes to the national infrastructure planning regime Broadening the regime Bringing data centres, gigafactories and laboratories into NSIP regime, if requested, thru S35 Directions Raising thresholds Raising threshold for onshore wind and solar projects from 50MW to 100MW Onshore Wind Following changes in NPPF, bringing larger onshore wind projects back into the NSIP regime Cost recovery for LAs Making provision through law for host LAs to have a power to recover costs for relevant services Underpinned by up-to-date NPS, statutory guidance and more flexibility

9. NPPF 2024 gives greater emphasis to: Key economic sectors inc labs, gigafactories, data centres , digital infrastructure, freight and logistics. Supporting the transition to Net Zero by 2050. Significant weight being placed on the importance of new, expanded or upgraded public service infrastructure when considering proposals for development . Golden Rules on Greenbelt development – affordable housing / necessary improvements to local or national infrastructure / accessible green spaces. Changing context: NPPF

10. And more to look forward to …. The 10-year infrastructure strategy HMT led, but cross Government Overseen by National Infrastructure & service Transformation Authority Set priorities ( ie projects) and pipeline of schemes for 5 years Aim to bring market stability, backed by capital budget and National Wealth Fund Comprehensive – economic and social, tie together sectoral plans Ambition to make spatial

11. Addressing challenges Some common barriers: Local capacity is tight, engaging with providers takes time Infrastructure planning is often fragmented, across different teams or scales of authority Uncertain funding for local projects and investment piecemeal Aligning local priorities & strategic schemes is challenging Challenges Do you agree with our analysis? What barriers do you face? Are some forms of infrastructure more difficult than others?

12. So, what does this mean for us? Planning at different scales Holistically planning across local & national infrastructure Pro-active engagement Fostering early and ongoing collaboration with a greater range of providers Confident delivery IDPs increasingly important to programme how and where

13. PAS support NSIP local authority network Brings together LA officers to share experience & practical support Provides a direct link between national and local government practitioners Develops resources and materials to help spread best practice Local authority infrastructure planning Infrastructure delivery plans guidance, model plan and digital best practice New tools and resources funding matrix, commissioning framework and template docs Governance of developer contributions direct support through reviews and action planning

14. Strengthen infrastructure planning Is infrastructure planning a priority for your authority? Do you have the leadership, resources and governance structures in place? Are you engaged in regional planning discussions and working across scales of planning? How can your IDP work harder to deliver infrastructure?

15. Mapping engagement Using sticky dots, mark in the table where proactive engagement is happening in your council across different infrastructure types and planning stages. Where is engagement the strongest? Where are gaps and inconsistencies? Why?

16. Joining the dots For each governance area, note what is currently happening at both local and regional/national levels.  Share your experiences—who is involved, what structures exist, and where engagement is working well or needs improvement.  Opportunities for better alignment? If so, map it! Define actions – quick wins and longer-term strategies

17. Final thought …… Strong infrastructure planning is essential for delivering great places. Hopefully this session has provided practical ideas to help you: ✅ Strengthen your approach to infrastructure planning ✅ Improve collaboration across all levels ✅ Identify key actions for better alignment and delivery 🎯 Your Next Step: Write down one commitment you will take forward and place it on the Action board before you leave.