​The Government has today launched a new consultation on streamlining infrastructure planning which seeks views on changes to guidance, services operated by the public sector, and secondary legislation to streamline the infrastructure planning process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has published an updated National Policy Statement for water resources infrastructure – an update of the NPS released in 2023.

The government has announced that Environment Secretary Steve Reed has “seized control” of the planning process to build two major reservoirs for the first time since the 1990s, describing the move as a “significant intervention to speed up delivery of much-needed reservoirs.”

Reforms announced today by the Environment Secretary Steve Reed will see a more dynamic, streamlined approach to environmental regulation will drive economic growth and safeguard nature under the Plan for Change.

The landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be formally introduced to Parliament this week, laying the groundwork for a new approach to prioritise new transmission infrastructure which will unlock growth with £200 billion of investment.

Philip Duffy, the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency has told the Government it will support a new approach to regulators and regulations to support economic growth.

Environment Minister Steve Reed has given the go-ahead for the £650 million Grand Union Canal Transfer Project being developed by Affinity Water (AFW), Severn Trent Water (STW) and the Canal & River Trust charity to progress to the next stage of the planning process.

The Planning Inspectorate has published advice on summarising the requirements of The Water Environment Regulations 2017 (WFD Regulations) in relation to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) applications.

The Institution of Civil Engineers has published an interesting policy paper on learning lessons from the cancellation of HS2’s northern leg.

Thames Water is inviting companies interested in delivering the major earthworks programme for its proposed new reservoir in Oxfordshire to take part in a supplier engagement exercise.