The Government has appointed top planning barrister Lord Charles Banner KC to lead an independent review to look into speeding up the delivery of major infrastructure projects, confirmed by the Housing Minister and Secretary of State today.
The review builds on wider government reforms to streamline the process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), which are often held up by legal barriers and judicial reviews.
Banner, assisted by fellow barrister Nick Grant, will explore whether NSIPs are unduly held up by inappropriate legal challenges, and if so what are the main reasons and how the problem can be effectively resolved, whilst guaranteeing the constitutional right to access of justice and meeting the UK’s international obligations.
Even unsuccessful challenges can set major projects back years in delays. This includes new road improvements, offshore wind farms and waste water management facilities.
Housing Minister, Lee Rowley said:
“It is vitally important that we use every tool at our disposal to slash unnecessary planning delays and accelerate building where it is needed across the country.
“That is why I am delighted that Lord Banner will lead a review on how we can speed up the delivery of national infrastructure in the face of costly legal challenges. I look forward to the outcome of this crucial piece of work.”
Commenting on his appointment, Charles Banner said:
“I am looking forward to analysing the information available, as well as the feedback from key stakeholders, to ascertain whether, within the terms of reference, there is a case for improving the process for legal challenges of NSIPs in a way that would reduce any identified impacts of inappropriate legal challenges whilst maintaining constitutional principles and relevant international obligations.”
Banner is a leading expert in planning and environmental regulation. He has already worked for the Government on a number of panels, including chairing the UK’s nature conservation advisory body the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
As part of the review, Banner will produce a written report with recommendations based upon the review’s research and engagement with key stakeholders.
The review was announced at the Autumn Statement in the policy paper Getting Great Britain building again: Speeding up infrastructure delivery. It is expected to take 3 months and the Government will consider the recommendations once published.
Charles Banner KC was announced on 9th February as one of 13 new life peers chosen by 10 Downing Street. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2019 at the age of 38, the youngest of the 2019 silks. He practices across both jurisdictions as well as internationally.
Nick Grant is on the Attorney General’s C-panel of counsel and specialises in planning and infrastructure, compulsory purchase, and environmental law.
Sulzer has launched a new global Center of Excellence (CoE) for Water Treatment Solutions - the CoE consolidates Sulzer’s wastewater treatment expertise in a unified and global manner.
“SAS (Surplus Activated Sludge) is a bit weird and 
Owen Mace has taken over as Director of the British Plastics Federation (BPF) Plastic Pipes Group on the retirement of Caroline Ayres. He was previously Standards and Technical Manager for the group.
PureTec Separations, the Ledbury-based water treatment engineering firm, has appointed Dan Norman as its new Sales Manager – Water Process Systems, supporting the company’s continued growth in the UK and international markets.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.