Visit our making sense of the infrastructure planning context pages
Infrastructure planning operates in a complex policy environment. Local authorities must navigate a growing number of strategies, responsibilities, funding routes and delivery partners across both local, strategic and national levels.
This section supports council officers working to integrate the infrastructure evidence base with wider strategic planning and national infrastructure systems, helping to ensure that local plans and infrastructure delivery plans (IDPs) are aligned, fundable and deliverable.
This resource helps clarify:
- The roles and responsibilities of some of the key organisations and how their infrastructure strategies fit together
- How national policy, local plans, IDPs, and emerging Spatial Development Strategies (SDSs) relate in the context of infrastructure
- A practical explanation of infrastructure types, planning routes, funding and delivery tools
Visit our Developer contributions pages
Developer contributions, including Section 106 agreements and the community infrastructure levy (CIL), remain essential tools for funding the infrastructure needed to support new development.
We provide guidance on:
- Government legislation and guidance on setting and reviewing your CIL Charging Schedule
- Improving the governance and transparency of how contributions are secured and spent
- Aligning contributions with wider planning and delivery strategies
- Creating and publishing Infrastructure Funding Statements (IFS)
Featured tools include:
- Self-assessment toolkit on the governance of developer contributions
- Guidance on prioritising and allocating funding
- Case studies and examples of best practice
Visit our NSIPs page
Large-scale infrastructure projects such as new energy installations, roads, railways, and airports go through a different consenting regime known as the nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) process.
Local authorities have a critical role in shaping these projects — including providing Local Impact Reports, engaging in examinations, and managing the long-term implications of delivery.
Our support helps LPAs:
- Understand and navigate the NSIP process
- Submit effective Local Impact Reports
- Coordinate engagement across departments and neighbouring authorities
- Respond to environmental and community impacts
Explore:
- Step-by-step guide to the NSIP process
- Templates, training, and practical advice
- Case studies from authorities who have engaged in NSIP schemes.
Visit our IDP pages
Infrastructure delivery plans (IDPs) are a key part of your Local Plan evidence base, but they are also much more. Done well, an IDP becomes a dynamic tool for infrastructure coordination, investment, and delivery.
PAS has produced new guidance to help authorities:
- Prepare robust and deliverable IDPs that meet soundness tests
- Engage effectively with infrastructure providers and funders
- Use digital tools and data to help keep IDPs live and up to date
- Align IDPs with developer contributions (Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy), and strategic investment planning
Featured tools include:
- Templates, model commissioning brief and IDP project schedules
- Prioritisation matrix