Planning powers overhauled for major projects

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is consulting on changes to the planning system which aim to address potential barriers to delivering key government policies, notably on energy and climate change.

The White Paper aims to make it easier to replace ageing power stations over the next 20 years. It also aims to integrate climate change more systematically into planning decisions.

"Crucially, planning can help speed up the shift to renewable and low carbon forms of energy," says the paper.