New Rules for Crown Development Planning: What You Need to Know

In a bid to streamline planning permission for government projects, the UK government has introduced new rules under the Town and Country Planning (Crown Development Applications) (Hearings and Inquiries) Rules 2025. These rules, effective from 2025, are part of a broader initiative to expedite nationally important government projects like prisons and defense facilities. Here’s a breakdown of what this means for planning processes in England.

Why the Change? Government departments have often faced delays in securing planning permissions through local authorities, slowing down vital national projects. To address this, the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA) introduced new sections into the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA). These sections create a streamlined route for Crown Development applications, where projects deemed nationally significant can bypass local planning authorities and apply directly to the Secretary of State.

Key Features of the New Rules:

1. Direct Applications: Government departments can now apply directly to the Secretary of State for planning permissions on Crown Developments, bypassing local authorities. The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) will process these applications.

2. Hearing and Inquiry Procedures: The rules outline detailed procedures for hearings and inquiries. Hearings must be held within five weeks after the last representation period, while inquiries should commence within 20 weeks. This aims to ensure timely decision-making.

3. Sensitive Information Handling: The new rules allow for certain sensitive information, especially related to national security, to be considered in closed sessions to protect national interests.

4. Flexibility in Procedure: Unlike previous inquiry procedures, the new rules do not require all parties to submit statements of case, unless they choose to do so. This flexibility is intended to streamline the process.

5. Public Sector Benefits: The reforms are expected to expedite planning decisions for government-led projects, potentially reducing costs and delays in capital programs.

Impact and Monitoring:

• The new rules focus on improving efficiency in public sector projects and do not significantly impact businesses, charities, or voluntary bodies.
• The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government will monitor the implementation of these routes to ensure they achieve the desired outcomes.

These changes reflect the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure development processes, ensuring that essential projects can proceed without unnecessary delays. While the rules primarily affect Crown developments, they signal a shift towards more centralized decision-making in planning processes. For more detailed information, you can refer to the official documentation or contact the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government.