Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to increase the speed of (a) granting planning permission and (b) approving low carbon and network infrastructure projects.

It is important to have a planning system that follows a robust legal process based on evidence, consultation with communities, and environmental impacts. The Government published an Action Plan for reforming and speeding up the Nationally Significant Infrastructure planning process in February 2023. The Action Plan includes proposals to introduce a fast-track with shorter statutory deadlines, streamline environmental assessments, and introduce cost-recovery to increase capacity in the Planning Inspectorate and statutory advisory bodies. DESNZ has updated and strengthened the Energy National Policy Statements that underpin planning for energy and networks infrastructure, and published them for consultation on 30 March 2023.