In Short
The Situation: On 18 December 2025, the
Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 ("the Act") received
royal assent.
The Development: The Act is likely to be of
interest to developers as it will introduce significant changes
into English planning law. These are designed to streamline
decision-making, in line with the UK government's stated aim to
remove barriers to development and economic growth.
Looking Ahead: Many of the provisions of the
Act are still to come into force, and some details are still to
follow by way of regulations in the coming months.
What's the Background?
The UK government wants to remove blockages and delays in the
planning system, accelerating the construction of tens of thousands
of new homes across every region and the building of critical
infrastructure. After a nine-month passage through the Houses of
Parliament, the Act has now passed, introducing (in the
government's words) "seismic planning reforms".