As part of its Plan for Change, the Government has announced further measures to speed up the delivery of homes and infrastructure projects across the UK, with the Prime Minister promising to “back the builders of this nation and say no to the blockers” as part of his mission to kickstart economic growth. The latest measures include:
• £2.65 billion in funding over the next two years to build or maintain up to 1,000 flood defences, protecting more than 66,000 properties.
• £90 million of funding to upgrade four major road schemes in England: A350 Chippenham Bypass in Wiltshire, A647 Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass in Leeds, South East Aylesbury Link Road in Buckinghamshire, and A127/A130 Fairglen Interchange in Essex.
• Reform of planning rules to allow smaller nuclear power plants to be built for the first time in the UK.
• Launch of a consultation on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector, which would include offering landlords a choice over how to meet the standards and a maximum energy efficiency investment cap of £15,000 per property.
The Government has published a working paper detailing the principles and objectives for its 10?year infrastructure strategy, which will be published in June and set out a long?term plan for the country’s economic, social and housing infrastructure, and members can provide feedback via email.
