Infrastructure Planning Commission head Sir Michael Pitt has confirmed the government is planning to scrap the IPC and overhaul planning powers in the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Pitt yesterday sent a letter to developers that said the government wanted to bring forward primary legislation to replace the Infrastructure Planning Commission with “fairer, faster decision making”.

The letter said the government planned to set up a Major Infrastructure Unit as part of a revised CLG structure that includes the Planning Inspectorate. This means final decisions on nationally important infrastructure would be made by the relevant secretaries of state.

The measures as expected to be introduced later in 2010 via a Devolution and Local Government Bill, which the government hopes will become law in 2011. The bill is expected to be announced in the Queen’s Speech later this morning.

The letter said it wanted to reassure those with interests in the 34 existing proposals to the IPC that the government is committed to an “efficient and democratically accountable fast-track process for major infrastructure projects”.

Pitt said: “The IPC recognises that clarity and certainty is needed for developers to underpin their commercial investment decisions.

“Therefore, we would like to reassure any developers who are working towards the submission of an application to the IPC, that in the meantime the existing process continues, and the examination of applications will not be delayed due to the anticipated changes. We will work flexibly with Government to ensure a seamless transfer to any new arrangements.”

To read the letter in full, click here: Letter re future of the IPC

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