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24 Feb 20232 minute read

Fast-track planning to be tested on projects

ECAtoday
Fast-track planning to be tested on projects

The UK government is set to trial a new fast-track planning system on several major construction projects, including a £1.5bn office block in London and a new hospital in Cambridge. The aim of the system is to speed up the planning process and remove red tape, allowing developers to begin construction more quickly.

Under the new system, developers will be able to submit a proposal and receive a decision within 10 weeks, compared to the current average of 25 weeks. The system will also streamline the process for obtaining planning permission, by removing the need for pre-application consultation and allowing proposals to be submitted online.

Local Government Minister, Lee Rowley MP said: “The plan we have published demonstrates the commitment across government to ensuring the planning system supports us to improve our energy security and deliver the major transport links and essential facilities this country needs to thrive.”

The fast-track system will be tested on a range of projects, including commercial, residential, and infrastructure developments, with the results used to inform future planning policy. The government hopes that the system will provide a boost to the construction industry, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, by enabling developers to move quickly on projects and create jobs.

However, the new system has been met with some criticism, with concerns raised about the potential impact on local communities and the environment. Critics have argued that the fast-track process may result in projects being approved without proper consideration of their impact on the surrounding area, and that it may lead to a lower standard of design and construction.

ECA is the UK's leading trade association for the electrotechnical and wider engineering services industry. We aim to drive growth and prosperity for the industry and our Member organisations. Learn more about the benefits of ECA membership here.

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