Planning Act 2008
The Planning Act 2008 was introduced by the UK government with the intention of reducing the amount of time taken for approving major new infrastructure projects.
The Act established the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), a body that would make decisions based on new national policy statements. The Act made provision for the IPC to authorise major new infrastructure projects, such as airports, roads, harbours, energy facilities, and so on. In so doing, it removed the Secretary of State's ability to have the final say.
Development consent orders were introduced to simplify and speed up the process of obtaining planning permission for certain types of project, designated as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
Other changes introduced by the Act included:
- Appeals related to minor developments would be heard by a panel of local councillors, rather than a planning inspector.
- Section 206 of the Act gives ‘charging authorities’ (generally, the local planning authority) the power to charge the community infrastructure levy (CIL). It is a charge that local authorities can choose to impose on new developments to fund local infrastructure such as transport schemes, flood defences, green spaces, and so on. For more information, see Community infrastructure levy.
The Localism Act 2011, introduced by the coalition government, made several changes to the Planning Act 2008. Most significant of these was the replacement of the IPC with the Major Infrastructure Planning Unit of the Planning Inspectorate. It also returned the final decision-making powers to the Secretary of State.
You can see the full Act here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Community infrastructure levy.
- Development consent order.
- Housing Act 1996.
- Localism act.
- National Infrastructure Plan.
- Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project initiatives reach milestone.
- National Planning Policy Framework.
- Planning Inspectorate.
- Planning legislation.
- Strategic infrastructure tariff.
- The Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) Regulations 2014.
- Town and Country Planning Act.
Featured articles and news
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
The 2025 draft NPPF in brief with indicative responses
Local verses National and suitable verses sustainable: Consultation open for just over one week.
Increased vigilance on VAT Domestic Reverse Charge
HMRC bearing down with increasing force on construction consultant says.
Call for greater recognition of professional standards
Chartered bodies representing more than 1.5 million individuals have written to the UK Government.