Residents living close to power lines could potentially receive a £250 annual reduction on their energy bills under Labour government plans aimed at accelerating the construction of infrastructure necessary for the transition away from fossil fuels. Households located within 0.5 km of new or upgraded power infrastructure may benefit from up to £2,500 over a decade, a move intended to mitigate any negative response to the increased development of pylons and substations. The initiative is part of a broader government strategy to speed up construction, as emphasized by Keir Starmer, who advocates that Britain’s planning rules have slowed down necessary developments.

Furthermore, the government is working to streamline the planning process for housing and energy projects by reducing the number of government bodies providing advice for these applications. The aim is to only consider advice on heritage, safety, and environmental protection, in an attempt to expedite building work and address the urgent need for housing and energy infrastructure.

The government’s planning and infrastructure bill, set to be introduced, reflects a business-as-usual approach to building, not permitting construction on open spaces or sports and recreational land without thorough assessment. They have also introduced a community fund to support the construction of facilities like sports pitches and youth centers in affected areas, in a bid to ensure communities benefit from the changes.

While the plan aims to fast-track projects vital for the national energy goal of net-zero emissions, it also includes measures to shield communities from unwanted developments, ensuring a balanced approach according to housing and communities minister Alex Norris.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/10/pylons-great-britain-energy-bills-uk-economy