In a bid to address delays in infrastructure projects caused by planning objections, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is set to announce a plan offering households near new pylons and electricity substations up to £10,000 off their bills over ten years. The proposal aims to expedite project timelines, with the Chancellor also planning to reduce the delivery time for new electricity networks to seven years. Additionally, a focus on prioritising the rollout of electric vehicle charging points is part of the broader initiative.
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As part of the reforms, a new “premium” planning service across England is proposed to accelerate pre-application services for major projects, requiring a fee with refunds for unmet targets. Matt Copeland, head of policy at the National Energy Action, stressed the importance of compensating those affected by pylons but emphasised the need for the government to support vulnerable individuals facing high energy bills.
