We urge the Government to ensure that the planning authorities have adequate resources to obtain and develop the skills and capacity necessary to prevent the planning system being a bottleneck to the rollout of energy infrastructure. The increase in planning fees is a justifiable measure to provide more adequate resources to planning authorities: but additional funding should be provided, and finances should be ring- fenced for local authorities.

We urge the Government to ensure that the planning authorities have adequate resources to obtain and develop the skills and capacity necessary to prevent the planning system being a bottleneck to the rollout of energy infrastructure. The increase in planning fees is a justifiable measure to provide more adequate resources to planning authorities: but additional funding should be provided, and finances should be ring- fenced for local authorities. Type: recommendation | Number: 34 | Paragraph: 129 | Response status: partially_accepted Government response: Government needs local planning authorities to have sufficient resources to be able to provide a high-quality planning service and timely planning decisions, to support the Government’s priorities for economic growth, infrastructure and housing delivery. As part of the consultation on changes to the