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Government Unveils Planning and Infrastructure Bill to Boost Housing Development

Cranes and in-development skyscraper buildings shot from worms-eye view

The Government has unveiled a transformative Planning and Infrastructure Bill aimed at modernising the planning process and accelerating the delivery of housing and infrastructure projects. This ambitious legislation is designed to remove blockages in the system, boost local decision-making efficiency, and ultimately drive economic growth through faster project delivery and job creation.

 

Streamlining the Decision Process

At the heart of the Bill is the introduction of a national scheme of delegation. This new framework will clearly define which planning applications should be determined by officers and which require a decision from a planning committee. The aim is to create greater consistency and certainty across local planning authorities, ensuring that decisions are both timely and well-informed. Alongside this, reforms will see changes in the composition and size of planning committees. Large, unwieldy committees will be replaced with smaller, more effective groups, and mandatory training requirements will be imposed on committee members—and even on mayors—to enhance the quality of planning decisions.

 

Reforming Planning Fees and Compulsory Purchase

The Bill also introduces changes to planning fee arrangements. Local Planning Authorities will now have the autonomy to set fees that reflect their actual service delivery costs. This move acknowledges the unique financial pressures faced by different regions and aims to reinvest these fees directly back into the planning system. Additionally, significant reforms are being made to the compulsory purchase process. The new measures will extend powers to remove “hope value” from properties, simplify statutory notices by allowing electronic delivery, and speed up the vesting of land. These changes are expected to enable a more effective assembly of land for public projects, paving the way for smoother development processes.

 

Empowering Development Corporations

Another major facet of the Bill is the enhanced framework for development corporations. By clarifying their powers and expanding their geographical and operational scope, the legislation supports more agile and effective development and regeneration projects. This includes the ability to manage both brownfield and greenfield sites and to drive new town developments. The changes ensure that development corporations can contribute to sustainable growth and better align with contemporary urban development needs.

 

Industry Endorsement

Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive of HBF, remarked on the reforms:

“The swift moves to address the failings in the planning system are a very welcome and positive step towards increasing housing supply. Removing blockages, speeding up the decision-making process and ensuring local planning departments have the capacity to process applications effectively will be essential to getting more sites up and running. If the other constraints currently preventing house builders delivering more homes can be tackled, the changes made to planning will really allow output to accelerate.”

 

Unlock Your Next Project

As the planning landscape evolves, now is the perfect time to explore innovative finance solutions to support your next development. Our tailored finance products are designed to help you navigate these changes, accelerate project delivery, and drive growth. Contact us today to learn how we can help turn your vision into reality.

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"A challenging site like no other with every inch of the plot being built on and 12 apartments built-out through a driveway 2.5m wide off of a main high street with limited access rights, not to mention all the complexities associated with 13 Party Wall Agreements. Most lenders would not have had the vision for the scheme or the confidence in Spiller Builders to build out the scheme.  I just wanted to say how helpful the entire BLG team have been during the build. A very approachable and knowledgeable team, with a “can do” approach to lending. We will be looking to do more business with you for sure."

“We have used BLG for development finance for over 8 years. During that time we have found their knowledge and expertise in the property development industry to be second to none. Their loan process, pragmatic and flexible approach to lending and flexibility when required has supported our business needs throughout the period and provided us with support to deliver new homes in Bristol and the surrounding areas.”

“As property developers you never know the curve balls that you may get and a project that is great on paper may prove a bit more tricky.  This happened to us on a project that BLG have funded and throughout they have supported us.  Our business likes to be collaborative and when we hit those tough moments it really felt like we were working as a team with BLG.  If you have a decent project you can get it funded, but what you really need is a business that is there to support and advise you as well.  For us on this project it was BLG.”

“I approached BLG Development finance with an opportunity I had in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, to build 5 new build houses in 2021. My main contact was Anil Bains who is a Director covering Asset Management. Within very quick timescales, BLG provided me with indicative quotes in regards the finance levels they could offer me. Having considered those levels, I requested a valuation to be carried out which again was dealt with swiftly. We proceeded to completion. The build went very smoothly with monthly monitoring being carried out by BLG and monthly drawdown requests dealt with in a very timely manner. Due to a difficult time generally in the market in regards selling, I was in need of a six-month extension to the loan which again was appraised very quickly and granted. Having dealt with numerous funders over the last 20 years, I can only speak highly of my personal experience with BLG and would very confidently work with them again on any future projects. “

"From our side it has also been a pleasure working with BLG and the team there. We have found you easy to deal with, proactive in resolving any minor issues that have arisen through the project and shown great flexibility in working with us as a partner. We will certainly like to work with you on future partners."

“I really appreciate your hard work. We really like the way you communicate & I must say I haven't seen many people who are that approachable.”

“A very efficient processing team, dealing with the DD once deal credit approved, through to completion”

“Many thanks for your efforts on this one and getting it approved and sorted so swiftly, very much appreciated. I am sure I will be speaking to your over the coming months.”

“We had other funding options, but chose to use BLG again, as we work well with the team, who always provide very clear information and advice with a friendly approach throughout the funding process. Very efficient and always very helpful.”

“Many thanks Anil, it’s been a real pleasure working with BLG so far.  We’re lining up the next project too”

“We would recommend all staff we have dealt with at BLG, as we are very satisfied with the team and the initial offer/terms presented, then you and the funding team, through to the draw down team at valuation stage.”

“All documents are clear and the way you keep clients informed, all the way along the funding process, is refreshing for us”

“With regard to what should be improved at BLG, we work with many lenders in our business and we do not get the help and response we have had on the two projects with all at BLG on our funding for our developments.”

“We would particularly mention Dave Edwards and Tom Pitts as being central to having a smooth working relationship and being positive and helpful at all times. Their guidance in helping us navigate the project from inception to completion was invaluable. As was their patience, particularly at the beginning. We look forward to many future projects with the BLG team.”

“We would like to express our appreciation for your support on our development in Bristol. We were very pleased that, from the outset, you shared our vision of the project to convert a dated but classical building, that had outlived its usefulness as a school, into unique luxury apartments with views overlooking the city. We found our dealings practical and streamlined. Monthly payments were processed in an efficient and timely manner.”

“BLG are very good at communicating with clients and all documents are very clear and all at BLG are always happy to help.”

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