[UPDATE: For the subsequent government response to this consultation, please view this post.]

The government has published the following consultation, which runs for 8 weeks from 01/09/2025 until 27/10/2025:

Consultation document:

• September 2025: Consultation on streamlining infrastructure planning (link) (pdf print version of HTML webpage).

Notes:

• The webpage (link) for the above consultation document includes the following information:
  - "This consultation seeks views on changes to guidance, public sector services and secondary legislation to streamline infrastructure consenting for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).".
  - "This includes the following proposals that support the application process for development consent under the Planning Act 2008:
  >>> new guidance about consultation and engagement following removal of statutory pre-application consultation requirements through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill
  >>> guidance and secondary legislation to support notification and publicity
  >>> guidance to support the acceptance stage for applications
  >>> the use of Initial Assessments of Principal Issues to focus examinations
  >>> guidance for public bodies about their role in examinations
  >>> changes to regulations related to the examination of applications including compulsory acquisition
  >>> reforms and improvements to pre-application services provided by the Planning Inspectorate and the fast-track process
  >>> supporting pre-application services through effective resourcing of statutory bodies".
  - "It also seeks views on the removal of statutory pre-application requirements for onshore wind projects under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 guidance.".
  - "These proposals relate to England, Wales and Scotland (to a limited extent) only.".