The Government has announced plans to replace street works licences with a permit system to speed up the installation of electric vehicle charge points on public roads. This change is part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which aims to reduce the wait for new grid connections by up to seven years and accelerate the construction of energy infrastructure.
The Bill, set to be introduced to Parliament this week, will replace the current ‘first come, first served’ system with a ‘first ready, first connected’ approach. This prioritises clean energy projects and aims to remove planning delays that have hindered development for decades.
Energy secretary Ed Miliband stated that every new renewable energy project contributes to a cleaner future and economic stability.
James Barwise, policy lead at the Road Haulage Association, welcomed the reforms, highlighting the increasing delays in gaining planning consent. He emphasised that an efficient planning system is essential for long-term economic growth and the timely delivery of major infrastructure projects.