Government unveils new infrastructure board and single environmental regulator pilot to speed up planning

The announcement set out plans for the Lower Thames Crossing – a new road network that will connect Kent, Thurrock and Essex via tunnels beneath the River Thames – to be supported by Natural England as Lead Environmental Regulator.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the new model will see one environmental regulator deliver a coordinated response on behalf of all regulators, ending the "merry-go-round" of developers dealing with multiple, overlapping authorities.

It added that Natural England will work with the Environment Agency and Marine Management Organisation to provide joined-up advice on the tunnelling project.

According to DEFRA, the pilot will test new ways of working and team structures, including:

• Better coordination – through clear named contacts for developers, who will coordinate all input, push work ahead at an appropriate speed and resolve issues.   
• Ensuring coherent advice across regulators to give developers a single view.   
• Streamlined processes sharing data, information and expert advice across all regulators to build a shared project understanding, improve coordination and accelerate decisions.  
• Resolving issues to escalate quickly where there is disagreement or divergence, by identifying causes, resolving them and reaching consensus before involving developers or other stakeholders. Proposed innovative solutions will be resolved at working level or escalated quickly, including to the Infrastructure Board. Defra will consider the use of ministerial powers to unblock issues if necessary.   
• Set a proactive, energetic and "can-do" culture across regulators which is focused on enabling development whilst protecting and improving the environment.  

The Government also announced the establishment of the Defra Group Infrastructure Board, which it said will help support fast-tracking 150 planning decisions on major infrastructure projects by the end of this Parliament.

The Government claimed the Defra Group Infrastructure Board will help accelerate the planning process for at least 50 major infrastructure projects, including Hinkley Point C, East West Rail and Heathrow expansion. 

It added that early oversight will help to identify challenges such as those faced by HS2 in building the bat tunnel, meaning that for future similar situations, alternative solutions to meet environmental obligations can be explored earlier in the process – ensuring proportionate decisions are made and reducing costs and delays. 

Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said the changes "will get spades in the ground quicker" and will boost homebuilding.

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner added: "We have been stuck with a status quo that has stopped us building the homes we need, and has done nothing for nature's recovery.  

"Communities deserve better, that's why we're pushing ahead with our pro-growth reforms to not only deliver vital homes and infrastructure, but drive real, lasting recovery for the environment. 

"This is another step towards our 1.5 million homes Plan for Change target which will restore the dream of homeownership, end the housing crisis, and boost economic growth across the country." 

Adam Carey