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Growth and Infrastructure Bill

The Growth and Infrastructure Bill [Bill 75 of 2012-13] was introduced to the House of Commons on 18 October 2012. It seeks to reduce delays in the planning system through various means, including referring certain projects to the Secretary of State to be determined within a 12 month timetable, rather than by local planning authorities. It has provisions relating to telecommunication equipment and energy infrastructure and gas transport. To promote development, the Bill would allow for planning obligations (section 106 agreements) relating to affordable housing to be renegotiated to make a development economically viable again. To promote economic growth, it makes provision for a planned revaluation of business rates in England to be postponed and to create a new employment status of employee owner.

This research paper has been prepared to inform the Second Reading debate on the Bill, originally scheduled for 30 October 2012 but now on Monday 5 November 2012.