Hot topic on Planning Act 2008 which received Royal Assent on 26 November 2008 brings together a range of publications on the Act.

The Act provides for the setting up of a new body, Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) whose prime responsibility will be to determine nationally significant planning projects. The Government is expected to set out a timetable early in 2009 for setting up the IPC and consult on details regulations.

The act:

• Outlines details for the setting up of a suite of National Policy Statements (NPSs) which define planning  policy in areas such as nuclear development and airport expansion and sets out the framework for the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy.
• Makes a number of changes to existing development control procedures.