Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations are the seventh commencement regulations under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (“the Act”).

Regulation 2 brings into force on 1st May 2025 section 109 of and Schedule 10 to the Act, except in so far as these provisions relate to an application for permission in principle or an application for hazardous substances consent under the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990. Section 109 of the Act inserts new sections 293B to 293J into the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (“the TCPA”) to provide two new routes for applications for planning permission for Crown development in England. Sections 293B and 293C provide a route for such applications where the development is considered to be of national importance and where there is also considered to be a need for the development to be carried out as a matter of urgency. Sections 293D to 293J provide a route for such applications where development is considered to be of national importance but is not considered to be urgent. Schedule 10 of the Act makes consequential amendments to the TCPA to reflect the two new routes for applications for planning permission.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary sector or community bodies is foreseen. An impact assessment has been produced in relation to the Act and copies can be obtained at https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3155/publications or from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government at 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.