The Planning and Infrastructure Bill has received Royal Assent and is now law, marking a major change to the UK’s planning framework.
For self-builders, the changes could make it easier to get permission, access land, and incorporate sustainable features into their projects.
By reducing bureaucracy and legal hurdles, the law aims to make the process more predictable and efficient for individuals looking to build their own homes.
Streamlined planning decisions for smaller projects
Under the new law, local planning committees will focus primarily on major developments, which could reduce delays for small-scale housing projects and self-builders.
The pre-application process has been overhauled to remove burdensome statutory consultation requirements, which may shorten the approval timeline for homes built by individuals.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “Our landmark Planning and Infrastructure Act will tear down barriers to growth, and this means getting spades in the ground faster, unshackling projects stuck in planning limbo and crucially unlocking a win-win for the environment and the economy.”
Additionally, councils can now set planning fees that reflect the actual costs of processing applications, which could provide more timely support for self-builders navigating the system.
Easier land access and local community incentives
The Act introduces measures to simplify the acquisition of land for housing, schools, and GP surgeries.
Small builders may find it easier to identify and unlock underused plots suitable for self-build projects, which previously could have been tied up in lengthy legal or bureaucratic processes.
New rules also allow electricity bill discounts of up to £2,500 over ten years for communities hosting new pylons and transmission infrastructure, which may indirectly benefit self-builders in certain areas.
These reforms, combined with clearer guidance on strategic land use through spatial development strategies, are intended to provide greater certainty about where and how homes can be built.
Supporting sustainable homes and clean energy connections
The legislation includes a Nature Restoration Fund, which encourages environmentally-friendly building practices at scale.
Self-builders may now have clearer pathways for incorporating green features, such as habitat restoration or other biodiversity measures, into their homes.
In addition, the Act prioritises grid connections for clean energy projects through a new “first ready, first connected” system, potentially making it easier for small builders to install solar panels, battery storage, or other low-carbon technologies.
These measures aim to combine faster construction timelines with sustainability objectives, offering self-builders a framework to integrate energy-efficient features without additional delays.
Ultimately, only time will tell how effective the new Planning & Infrastructure Bill will be towards creating new housing.
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