Infrastructure Act 2015

The Infrastructure Bill became statute late last week, receiving Royal Ascent on the 12^th February 2015. The key changes it brings about relate to planning applications, fracking, invasive species and the Highways Agency.

So what does this all mean for you?

Planning

·         Planning inspectors can now be appointed at the acceptance of an application, currently this is done following representations.

·         Two planning inspectors can now be appointed as a panel.

·         The post consent changes process has now been simplified

These changes will come into force at a date that is yet to be agreed but we will keep you updated once those dates have been released.

Fracking

·         Fracking underneath a third party’s land will be legal without their consent.

·         There is also now a set list of required conditions to be satisfied prior to a well consent being consented.

Invasive Species

·         The Act provides government agencies in England and Wales with powers to enter into control agreements and, if necessary, control orders with landowners to ensure action can be taken against harmful species on their land. (This would include species such as Japanese Knotweed, Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam.) 

Highways Agency

·         The Highways Agency is to be renamed Highways England from 1^st April 2015, and will be a government subsidiary and no longer an arm of the Secretary of State for Transport.

To discuss the relevance of any of the matters to you or your business please contact Adam Jaeban of our Rural Department on 01509 243720 or Stephen Mair of our Planning Department on 01858 439090.