Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Third Reading

Tuesday, 10 June 2025 · Division No. 223 · Commons

306Ayes

–

174Noes

Passed

164 MPs did not vote

leftGovernment wonPro Housebuilding(Yes)Pro Planning Reform(Yes)Pro Active Travel(Yes)Pro Compulsory Purchase Reform(Yes)

Voting Yes means

Support passing the Planning and Infrastructure Bill into law, including reforms to speed up planning decisions, enable more housebuilding, and facilitate infrastructure including active travel routes through compulsory purchase powers

Voting No means

Oppose the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in its current form, likely citing concerns about weakening local planning controls, inadequate protections for communities or the environment, or specific objectionable provisions

What happened: The House of Commons passed the Planning and Infrastructure Bill at Third Reading on 10 June 2025, by 306 votes to 174. Third Reading is the final stage a bill completes in the Commons before passing to the House of Lords, and a vote in favour constitutes formal approval of the bill as a whole. The government's position was to support the bill, and it carried comfortably.

Why it matters: The Planning and Infrastructure Bill represents the most significant overhaul of England's planning system in years, designed to speed up the granting of planning permission for new homes and major infrastructure projects such as roads, energy installations, and utilities. Supporters argue it is essential to meeting the government's target of 1.5 million new homes in this parliamentary term. Opponents contend it weakens the ability of local communities to shape development in their areas and reduces environmental protections, including those covering protected habitats and species.

The politics: The vote divided almost entirely along party lines. All 305 Labour and Labour and Co-operative MPs who voted supported the bill, while Conservatives (97), Liberal Democrats (56), Reform UK (6), Plaid Cymru (4), the Greens (4), and both Northern Irish unionist parties voted against. Three independents voted in favour and five against. The Liberal Democrats and Greens opposed the bill primarily on local democracy and environmental grounds, while the Conservatives and Reform UK emphasised concerns about overriding local planning controls. The bill now proceeds to the House of Lords, where it is expected to face significant scrutiny and possible amendment.