Tall buildings have hugely contributed to London’s sense of place and rightful place as a world-leading financial centre. They have made a defined impact on the London skyline particularly in the period between 2000-2019 when the number of new tall buildings built increased significantly, largely due to a change in planning policy. For the last 10 years the NLA (New London Architecture) has been surveying trends in tall building development (which it defines as those of 20 storeys or above) across London. In this Insight we examine the NLA’s recently published annual survey 2025 and what it means for tall building development in the capital.  

The Government has confirmed it will introduce legislation to reduce the number of attempts claimants have to secure permission to legally challenge a DCO. 

As part of the ongoing Government reforms to the consenting process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (“NSIPs”), PINS has launched its 2024 Pre-Application Prospectus. The Prospectus sits alongside a suite of other newly-published Guidance, which we have discussed in previous Insights, providing updated guidance on the DCO pre-application stage and new guidance on the new Fast-track process. The Prospectus implements expected reforms to the NSIP application process and provides important detail which all promoters should familiarise themselves with. In this Insight we summarise the key changes, which includes a: new tiered Pre-application service and associated costs; new and increased documentation and procedural requirements; Fast-track procedure; and transitional arrangements for projects already in the system.

Details of how the recently confirmed operational reforms to improve the NSIP planning process will work in practice are beginning to emerge. We have previously reported on which of the proposed operational reforms are confirmed, but following publication in April 2024 of various amendment regulations, new National Infrastructure Planning Guidance and PINS' launch of a new online platform, we now have a clearer understanding of the changes and how they will work in practice. 

The Government’s energy infrastructure reform programme continues to gather pace following publication of multiple important documents this autumn. In this Insight we discuss the recent progress and new announcements setting out further actions and steps identified to deliver these reforms.