Transport & energy infrastructure planning news, August 2018
01 Aug 2018
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National Infrastructure Commission publishes first National Infrastructure Assessment
On 10 July, the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) published its first National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA).
The document functions as a road map, and develops the vision and priorities set out in the Commission’s interim report ‘Congestion, capacity, carbon: Priorities for National Infrastructure’ (published in October 2017), by providing further details.
The Assessment is aimed at guiding the planning of infrastructure in the UK up to 2050, with a specific focus on the promotion of sustainable economic growth across the regions, and improvement in competition and quality of life.
The core proposals within the report include:
- full fibre broadband nationwide to promote digital connectivity;
- half of the UK’s power provided by renewables by 2030;
- three quarters of plastic packaging recycled by 2030;
- encouraging the growth of cities;
- £43 billion of stable long-term transport funding for regional cities;
- preparing for 100 per cent electric vehicle sales by 2030;
- ensuring resilience to extreme drought, through controlling demand and increasing supply; and
- a national standard of flood resilience for all communities by 2050.
Of particular interest for planning are the recommendations to strengthen city regions. The Assessment calls for the development of integrated strategies for transport, employment and housing, which should be supported through the devolution of decision-making and funding to metro mayors and city leaders.
The final chapter, ‘Next Steps’, also picks up on the current debate on land value capture, recommending that to improve funding and financing arrangements for infrastructure projects, to ensure that they are ‘paid for at the lowest whole life cost’, there is a requirement for expanding and strengthening the range of mechanisms for capturing a share of the increases in land value to finance future infrastructure schemes, as well as dropping the pooling restrictions on developer contributions.
The next step is for the Government to lay the Assessment before Parliament, and to respond to the recommendations within six months (with a final deadline of a year).
National Infrastructure Commission, Commissioners on the National Infrastructure AssessmentNational Infrastructure Commission, National Infrastructure Assessment
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Quote of the month |
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| Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt, speaking on publication of the National Infrastructure Assessment, 10 July 2018 | ||
National Planning Policy Framework published
On 24 July, the Government published its second National Planning Policy Framework. The finalised version of the framework contains a number of amendments and additions to the chapter ‘Promoting Sustainable Transport’.
The chapter builds on proposals put forward in the Housing White Paper, that authorities should identify development opportunities arising from strategic infrastructure investment. It also states that significant development should be concentrated in areas which have a good level of connectivity.
The Framework has also incorporated guidance from the latest Written Ministerial Statement on parking standards, which advises against enforcing maximum parking standards for developments. Design should prioritise pedestrian and cycle movements, whilst development can also now be prevented or refused on highways grounds if it would have an ‘unacceptable impact on highway safety'.
Where NPPF 2012 required local authorities to develop viable ‘strategies for the provision of infrastructure', including large scale facilities and the transport investment to support the growth of major generators of travel demand, the NPPF 2018 requires the provision of any large scale transport facilities that need to be located in the area, and the infrastructure and wider development required to support their operation taking into account any relevant national policy statements and whether such development is likely to be a nationally significant infrastructure project. This is a subtle but important change in our view.
Aviation is also covered, with a new policy in place to recognise the importance of maintaining a national network of general aviation facilities.
The transport-chapter has also been brought up to date with developments in the automobile industry, stating that policies ensure developments provide adequate provision of electronic charging points.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, National Planning Policy Framework
‘Last mile’ and ‘Future of Mobility’ calls for evidence
At the end of July, the Department for Transport and Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles published two calls for evidence, each with a closing date for submissions of 10 September.
The ‘Last Mile’ call for evidence will, for example, explore the extent to which electrically powered e-vans, micro vehicles and e-cargo bikes can provide a better delivery service to customers (in comparison to light commercial vehicles), and measures to improve logistical efficiency (such as urban consolidation centres and hubs).
With regard to the future of mobility, views and evidence are being sought to inform the Government’s strategy for responding to new technologies and trends, and ensuring that urban infrastructure is adapted to support them, and deliver benefits to society. This call for evidence states:
‘We want to encourage and support local authorities and operators to shape how the changes to urban mobility emerge, and to take a holistic approach to planning cities and their transport systems.’
Department for Transport and Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Government kick-starts work on Future of Mobility Grand ChallengeGovernment launches consultations on proposed planning reforms for shale gas development in England
On 19 July, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy launched an ‘initial’ consultation, to gather views on the timings and criteria for including shale gas production projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime under the Planning Act 2008. This launch perhaps ironically follows the publication on 5 July of the House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s inquiry report on planning guidance for fracking, that concluded and recommended:
‘There is little to be gained from bringing fracking planning applications at any stage under the NSIP regime; there is limited evidence that it would expedite the application process and such a move is likely to exacerbate existing mistrust between local communities and the fracking industry […] Fracking planning applications should not be brought under the NSIP regime.’
On the same day as the NSIP-related consultation, the Government also launched another, this time seeking views on future reforms to the planning system relating to exploratory drilling for shale gas extraction.
Views are sought on the principle of whether exploratory drilling for shale gas should be designated as a new form of permitted development (PD), meaning planning permission would not need to be obtained, as put forward in a joint Written Ministerial Statement published in May this year.
The consultation document includes proposals for the PD right to not apply to the appraisal and production operations of shale gas extraction. Furthermore, it is proposed that the new right would not apply to sensitive areas such as areas of outstanding natural beauty, world heritage sites or conservation areas.
The consultations will both close on 25 October; it is likely that a Government response to the consultation responses will be published at the same time as ‘next steps’ are announced.
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Inclusion of shale gas production projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime, Initial consultation on the timings and criteria for including major shale gas production projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regimeHouse of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry report, Planning guidance on fracking inquiryMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Consultation on permitted development for shale gas explorationDepartment for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, joint Written Ministerial Statement on Energy Policy
Highways England progress report published
The Secretary of State for Transport has presented a report to Parliament, detailing the performance of Highways England for the 2017-18 period.
The report reveals that the Agency met most of its Key Performance Indicators, and that it responded well to the severe weather of February and March this year. The Agency is also commended on its engagement with local authorities in helping to support local growth opportunities.
The report also urges the Agency to continue focusing on delivery, maintaining pace and controlling costs, whilst continuing to build on its technical competencies, in areas such as project and programme management, asset management and commercial skills.
On a related note, Highways England has confirmed plans for M1 upgrades that are expected to provide extra capacity ‘to support the development of new houses’. The £373m ‘smart motorway’ improvements aim to reduce congestion along a 23 mile stretch passing through Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.
Department for Transport, Highways England 2017 to 2018 performance report
Highways England's Performance Report to Parliament for 2017-18, Moving Britain Ahead
Highways England, Highways England boosting local economy with multi-million pound upgrade of M1
UK’s first vertical launch spaceport confirmed for Sutherland
On 15 July, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark, announced plans for the UK’s first vertical launch spaceport. It is to be located on the A’Mhoine Peninsula in Sutherland, a remote area on the northern edge of the Scottish Highlands that has been identified as the optimum place in the UK to reach satellite orbits with vertically launched rockets.
The £17.3 million project, led by regional development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), will receive £2.5 million of funding from the UK Space Agency. This will enable the development of detailed plans, and support the construction of a vertical launch site capable of launching micro-communication and earth-observation satellites.
Greg Clark commented:
’The UK’s thriving space industry, research community and aerospace supply chain put the UK in a leading position to develop both vertical and horizontal launch sites. […] This will build on our global reputation for manufacturing small satellites and help the whole country capitalise on the huge potential of the commercial space age.’
Greg Clark also announced a further £2 million of funding to help support horizontal launch sites, providing direct support to projects planned in Cornwall, Glasgow Prestwick and Snowdonia.
UK Government, One giant leap: Vertical launch spaceport to bring UK into new space age Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Funding confirmed to establish UK's first spaceport in Sutherland
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The Lichfields perspective |
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| Tom Davies, Planning Researcher | ||
Disclaimer: This publication has been written in general terms and cannot be relied on to cover specific situations. We recommend that you obtain professional advice before acting or refraining from acting on any of the contents of this publication. Lichfields accepts no duty of care or liability for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of any material in this publication. Lichfields is the trading name of Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Limited. Registered in England, no.2778116