Over the past year, the UK planning regime has seen sweeping proposals and reforms intended to unlock development, streamline decision-making, and rebalance infrastructure burdens. For developers, landowners, local planning authorities and observers alike, these changes are reshaping the landscape.

One of the central pillars is the new Planning and Infrastructure Bill 2024-25, introduced to Parliament in March 2025. This proposed legislation aims to simplify infrastructure delivery, enhance environmental oversight, and overhaul how planning decisions are made. Importantly, it includes measures allowing local authorities to set their own planning fees, a shift from uniform national scales. It also proposes to limit the number of legal challenges that can be brought against planning consents, and restrict repeated judicial review attempts.

Another significant shift comes via the Working Paper on reforming site thresholds, published in mid-2025. This seeks to adapt planning obligations for different scales of development—providing lighter regulatory requirements for small and medium sites while preserving stricter controls on “major” development. The changes are intended to reduce burdens on SME builders and catalyse housing delivery.

At the same time, government proposals unveiled in October 2025 would grant ministers new powers to override delays and objections that block housing and infrastructure schemes. Under such draft reforms, the approval pathway for major projects may be sped up, and the scope for repeated appeals or legal challenges narrowed. Also under discussion is a nature restoration levy: developers may satisfy environmental obligations by contributing to a central fund, rather than undertaking costly on-site measures.

For local planning authorities already stretched by staffing pressures, the reforms promise relief through delegated decision making, streamlined consent processes, and better funding via ring-fenced planning fees. However, critics caution that the scale of power shifting toward ministers and developers may weaken local accountability and environmental protection.

In practice, these reforms will demand early engagement from legal and planning advisers. Developers and land promoters should revisit how Section 106 obligations, viability arguments, and infrastructure contributions are negotiated. Local authorities must prepare to adapt to new fee regimes, delegated decision models, and delegated powers. The evolving regime underscores the increasing importance of strategic legal advice to navigate uncertainty and secure viable development rights.

Speak to Jon Dunkley

Jon is a Partner at Wollens and can advise you. Contact Jon via email jon.dunkley@wollens.co.uk or call 01271 341021.

Jon Dunkley - Wollens Solicitors Devon

You can also complete an online enquiry form. One of the Wollens team will contact you as soon as they are available.