Streamlining Emergency Planning: A New Legislative Pathway for Urgent Crown Developments

In a significant move to expedite essential government projects, the UK government has introduced a new legislative framework to facilitate faster planning permissions for urgent Crown developments. The Town and Country Planning (Crown Development) (Urgent Applications) (Procedure) (England) Order 2025, effective from this year, outlines a streamlined process designed to address delays in securing planning approvals for critical national projects. Here's a breakdown of what this means and why it's important.

What Does the Legislation Do?

The legislation establishes a new procedure allowing certain government departments to bypass local planning authorities and apply directly to the Secretary of State for urgent planning permissions. This route is specifically intended for projects deemed nationally important and requiring prompt action, such as those responding to national emergencies.

Why the Change?

Previously, obtaining planning permission for urgent Crown projects was a cumbersome process involving a mandatory 21-day consultation period and potential inquiries, often leading to delays. This procedural bottleneck prompted the government to seek alternative routes, such as Special Development Orders, to fast-track essential projects. The new legislation aims to simplify and hasten the approval process by allowing direct applications to the central government.

Key Features of the New Process

1. Direct Application to Secretary of State: Government departments can submit applications directly to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, bypassing the local authorities.

2. Criteria for Approval: The Secretary of State will assess the applications based on their national importance and urgency, a decision-making process informed by a Written Ministerial Statement.

3. Reduced Regulatory Burden: The legislation mandates fewer procedural requirements to ensure timely decisions, aligning with the urgency of the projects.

4. Consultation and Publicity: While the procedure is expedited, there are still provisions for consultation with relevant local authorities and prescribed bodies, albeit on a shortened timeline.

5. Sensitive Information Handling: The legislation includes measures to protect sensitive information related to national security within these applications.

Impact and Implications

The new framework is expected to enhance the government's ability to respond swiftly to national needs, potentially offering cost savings and efficiency gains for public sector projects. However, it also centralises decision-making, which may raise concerns about the reduced role of local planning authorities and public consultation.

Conclusion

This legislative change reflects a strategic shift towards a more agile planning system for Crown developments, underscoring the government's commitment to effective and rapid responses to national priorities. As this new procedure is implemented, its impact on planning efficiency and local governance will be closely monitored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government.