Insights
Permitted Development for substations.
From 29th May, substations for ultra-rapid EV charging hubs become Permitted Development. For charge point operators (CPOs) like Osprey this change will save resources, cost and time.
The change in legislation was achieved over many months of government-industry collaboration. Our Operations Director Lewis Gardiner took the lead alongside ChargeUK’s head of policy Jarrod Birch and Ubicity’s senior partnership manager Mark Cooper to provide the government Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) with examples of charging rollout delays caused by the planning process to support the case for Permitted Development Rights.
What is Permitted Development?
Permitted Development is a general planning permission granted by the government instead of a local council, meaning for certain works applying for planning permission isn't necessary. With Permitted Development rights for substations, it will take less time for CPOs to install public charging sites.
How does this help Charge Point Operators?
Already the case in Scotland, this change to Planning rules saves significant resource, cost and sometimes months of time taken on planning applications for large EV charging hubs' electrical equipment. Wales has also recently published a consultation that will hopefully align it with England on similar planning rights.
CPOs in England will no longer need to expend additional resources and time managing applications for a supporting substation and corresponding with planning departments. This also will reduce the load on local planning authorities.
“
“Removing the need for planning permission for essential electrical infrastructure like substations across the majority of sites will save months of delays, reduce costs and accelerate the delivery of the rapid charging hubs drivers need, it’s the result of months of collaboration between industry and Government and we’re proud to have played a key role in making it happen.”
Lewis Gardiner, Operations Director.
How will this benefit EV drivers?
Building ultra-rapid public charging hubs along major travel routes to enable longer trips will remain a key part of supporting both current and new EV drivers and this policy change will support CPOs by streamlining the rollout of the public charging network across the UK.
With a stronger public network that combats range anxiety, drivers will have more confidence to switch to EVs ahead of the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles in 2035.
Investing in the future of EV charging.
In parallel to these Planning changes, there's a further Call for Evidence on planning policy for EV charging infrastructure. Again working as a collective sector with ChargeUK, we will be pushing for remaining barriers to be eased. We also hope that it will become easier to install road-side signage for EV charging.
Latest insights.
Check out the latest insights from Osprey Charging Network.
