Unlocking growth through planning reform

As the Planning and Infrastructure Bill progresses through the committee stage in Parliament, the CBI has published a briefing paper on behalf of members to MPs on the bill committee and other key stakeholders.

The brief outlines the CBI's support for the Bill and its key measures, and we want to see its swift passage through Parliament. However, we believe there is scope for further reform – particularly around infrastructure delivery, resourcing of local planning authorities, and delivery of the Nature Restoration Fund.

Businesses support the agenda to reform the planning system and accelerate the delivery of nationally significant infrastructure. Access to energy, water and transport connectivity remains a major barrier to growth, and the planning system continues to hold back much-needed investment in UK infrastructure. The measures in this Bill offer an opportunity to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy for developers and speed up planning approvals – turning the planning system into an enabler of growth.