Planning and Infrastructure Bill debated in the Lords

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill would change the law and streamline the legislation surrounding the construction of new homes and critical infrastructure. Some of the bill's provisions include: 

• reforming the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP)
• updating the electricity grid connection process
• granting corporation powers for infrastructure delivery
• setting up a new Nature Restoration Fund, that would enable developers to fund restoration more efficiently.

Debate on the draft law 

During second reading, members discussed the main topics in the bill and drew attention to concerns and specific areas where they think amendments (changes) are needed. 

Members speaking  

Lord Khan of Burnley (Labour), Lords Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement, opened the debate.

Members speaking in the debate included: 

• Lord Banner (Conservative), former Non-Executive Director of the Standards and Regulation Board at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green), former leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
• Lord Best (Crossbench), former chair of the Devon Housing Commission
• Lord Gascoigne (Conservative), Chair of the Lords Built Environment Committee
• Baroness Grender (Liberal Democrat), former Director of Communications for Shelter
• Lord Thurlow (Crossbench), chartered surveyor
• Lord Young of Cookham (Conservative), former housing minister.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour), Lords Minister for Housing and Local Government, responded on behalf of the government. 

Catch up

• Watch the Parliament TV recording.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore further information 

Find out more about the bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.

Next steps

Committee stage, the first chance for line by line examination of the bill, begins on Thursday 17 July.

Image: Adobe