Defra Sets Out Fresh Reforms to Unblock Britain’s Planning System and Drive Sustainability

Families who have been finding it nearly impossible to get on the housing ladder are set to benefit from a sweeping overhaul of Britain’s planning system. The government has announced that £ 500 million will be invested in addressing long-standing bottlenecks, a move expected to unlock the construction of 1.5 million homes, strengthen the economy, and accelerate environmental recovery as part of its Plan for Change.

One of the most striking measures will see the Lower Thames Crossing become the first major infrastructure project in the UK to have a single environmental authority overseeing its delivery. Instead of multiple agencies issuing overlapping approvals, one body will now take responsibility, cutting red tape, speeding up the process, and reducing costs for developers.

Alongside this, a new Infrastructure Board will fast-track more than fifty major projects across the country. These include rail lines, new roads, power stations, airports, and renewable energy developments. By addressing planning obstacles at the earliest stages, the board will provide certainty for developers and communities alike.

The £500 million package does not simply address housing. It will also support flagship environmental schemes such as the Nature Restoration Fund and the Marine Recovery Fund, while boosting capacity within the planning system itself. That means planning applications can be processed far more quickly, ensuring projects move from the drawing board to the ground without unnecessary delays, while maintaining robust environmental protections. The government has pledged to deliver 1.5 million new homes by the end of this Parliament, and secure at least 150 major planning decisions, which is more than twice the number achieved in the previous Parliament.

For motorists, the Lower Thames Crossing promises relief from congestion and a boost to national growth. By designating a single environmental regulator—Natural England, in this case, the project will benefit from a coordinated approach. Natural England will work in tandem with the Environment Agency and the Marine Management Organisation to deliver streamlined oversight and clear guidance to developers.

This marks a decisive break from what ministers have called the merry-go-round of Britain’s rigid regulatory system, where developers were forced to navigate a maze of overlapping authorities. The new structure positions regulators firmly in the service of progress, while ensuring that environmental obligations are still met.

The new Infrastructure Board, housed within Defra, will monitor and drive forward more than fifty critical projects. Among them are Hinkley Point C, East West Rail, Heathrow expansion, and renewable energy developments central to the UK’s clean power mission for 2030. Early oversight will help prevent costly delays, such as those seen in the HS2 bat tunnel dispute, by ensuring potential challenges are flagged in advance and proportionate solutions are found quickly.

Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said:  

"People can't find affordable homes to live in because Britain's broken planning system has blocked building work, and that's pushed up prices.  

"These changes will get spades in the ground quicker so developers can build the homes families need.   

"This is all part of the Government's Plan for Change that will boost the economy and create jobs by building more homes, and also provide new funding from developers to benefit nature."  

 Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:   

"We have been stuck with a status quo that has stopped us from building the homes we need, and has done nothing for nature's recovery.   

"Communities deserve better, that's why we're pushing ahead with our pro-growth reforms to not only deliver vital homes and infrastructure, but drive real, lasting recovery for the environment.  

"This is another step towards our 1.5 million homes Plan for Change target, which will restore the dream of homeownership, end the housing crisis, and boost economic growth across the country."

The government argues that this new approach will not only deliver homes and transport links but also support wind farms, solar projects, gigafactories, data centres, and other nationally significant infrastructure. Spatial planning and digital technologies will play a role in making approvals swifter and more efficient.

These reforms also build directly on recommendations from the Corry Review of environmental regulation, commissioned earlier this year. Of the twenty-nine recommendations, nine are already being acted upon, with further steps under active consideration. Ministers say this shows their commitment to acting rapidly where change is urgently needed.

Taken together, the measures represent a fundamental shift in how Britain delivers housing and infrastructure. The government is positioning the Plan for Change not as incremental reform, but as a transformation of the entire system—one that puts families, communities, and the environment at the centre while clearing a path for faster, more certain development.