Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 35
35
Acknowledged
Green infrastructure promotion within the planning system remains insufficient despite NPPF recognition.
Conclusion
We recognise and welcome the recognition of the importance of green infrastructure in the latest revision of the NPPF. However, we heard that more can be done to promote it within the planning system. (Conclusion, Paragraph 126)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on strengthening early career pathways, expanding graduate schemes, and supporting professionals in planning, including ecology-related roles, to ensure the planning system has the necessary expertise, but does not directly detail new measures to promote green infrastructure within the system.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
107. The Government agrees that strengthening early career pathways is essential to ensuring the planning system has the expertise it needs. Through MHCLG’s Planning Capacity and Capability Programme, we are already expanding national routes into planning and related environmental roles, supported by the £48 million additional investment announced at Budget 2025. 108. A key part of this expansion is the Pathways to Planning graduate scheme, delivered by the Local Government Association. Pathways are growing significantly and is already being broadened beyond local planning authorities to include statutory consultees and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects consenting teams, reflecting the wider skills needs of the system. Participating organisations also have flexibility to place graduates on accredited courses relevant to their specialist requirements, including ecology, ensuring the programme can support a wider range of skills. 109. Alongside this, we continue to support Public Practice, which recruits and transitions experienced built-environment professionals into local authorities. 110. We will continue to work with professional bodies and partners to ensure these national programmes respond to emerging skills needs in planning. Given the expansion and flexibility of existing routes, we do not consider a separate, ecology-specific national pathway necessary at this time, but we will keep this under review as the system evolves.