The recent Pipeline Industries Guild (PIG) webinar on Land Rights for infrastructure projects was well attended. Hosted by Rachel Bridge, ESG Partner, the event featured an expert panel comprising Sarah De-Renzy Tomson, Head of Planning, Mark Gilkes, DCO expert from our Infrastructure Team, and Tom Beeley, natural capital specialist.
Mark Gilkes provided an insightful breakdown of the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, explaining recent government changes aimed at expediting the process. He emphasised the crucial role of collaboration and communication in any Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). Mark also highlighted the significance of having planning and land rights in one piece of legislation, making the government the decision-makers rather than local authorities. This is particularly important as these projects are considered nationally as well as locally. Early engagement and collaboration with all project teams are essential, involving many stakeholders from multi-disciplinary teams.
Sarah De-Renzy Tomson guided attendees through the planning processes for Town & Country Planning Act projects, highlighting the complex requirements for environmental impact screening. She discussed the challenges faced by planners during construction on larger infrastructure projects, using the example of a 23 km waste pipeline that involved two planning teams from different authorities. The Town & Country Planning Act requires teams to consider environmental impacts along the route, such as tree protection orders, ecology, and archaeology, which can be time-consuming. Therefore, early engagement and close collaboration are essential.
Tom Beeley discussed Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), a mandatory policy since February 2024, which requires developers to deliver at least 10% BNG through the planning process. He shared practical tips on achieving net gain and shared market insights on the 117 Habitat Bank sites registered on the National Net Gain Register, covering 3,855 hectares, with numbers steadily rising. Tom also highlighted the government update, which had delayed the introduction of BNG to DCOs from November 2025 to May 2026.
Watch the PIG Land Rights for Infrastructure webinar.