Rachel Reeves' Bold Infrastructure Vision: A New Era for UK Growth?

In her first speech as Chancellor, Rachel Reeves has offered a compelling statement of intent, setting the tone for the new government’s approach to economic growth with a clear emphasis on infrastructure. As you can imagine, Ardent are paying very close attention and are keen to play our role in making this change a reality. Unlike her predecessors, who may be better remembered for the projects they delayed or cancelled, Reeves’ address was rich with specifics, particularly highlighting the critical role of infrastructure investment in revitalising the UK economy.

Of particular interest to us at Ardent is the Chancellor’s positive stance on onshore wind in England. This is a significant move, not only for its potential impact on sustainable energy production but also for its symbolic value. Onshore wind farms, if implemented thoughtfully, can be beautiful additions to our landscapes, showcasing what sustainable infrastructure looks like.

At Ardent, we are already supporting several clients with their aspirations to develop new onshore wind farms in England, building on our already strong offering that we provide for clients in Scotland and Wales. Numerous members of the team have been involved in onshore wind development for several years, providing support to clients with land agreements, strategic development advice, ancillary agreements for access and grid connections, and much more.

In addition to this, we have been supporting developers in finding suitable locations for potential new developments through our integrated Atlas and GIS systems, which are able to model and identify new opportunities for development. This approach allows us to quickly identify new potential onshore wind opportunities, which is going to be key as developers start to take a more detailed look at what land is suitable now the restrictions have been lifted.

Removing some of the barriers to securing the relevant consents is, of course, hugely helpful to promoters of onshore wind projects. However, to drive this agenda forward (and the wider renewables agenda!), we will need to:

• Have wider-reaching and meaningful conversations about each specific proposal: We must avoid each consultation becoming a local referendum. This agenda cannot be viewed as binary. The virtue of a project cannot be entirely defined by the level of noise generated from stakeholders. What is more important is that all voices are heard and considered, and promoters can evidence how that feedback has informed decision-making and made the project as good as it can be.
• Go the extra mile to ensure engagement exercises are inclusive: I have talked before at length about the importance of this. If we limit our engagement to self-selected people who are unrepresentative of those directly and indirectly impacted by a project, then we risk never realising our growth ambition. Even the most rural communities need careful engagement. We need to activate seldom-heard voices across every community being asked to consider an onshore wind project.
• Embrace the latest tools and technologies: Here at Ardent, we are committed to applying digital solutions throughout our service offerings and in every sector. In terms of engagement, this means wide use of AI, virtual and visual software, and much more to enhance engagement and provide 24/7 service. We may be about to have conversations with communities that have never considered a major renewables project before. Let’s not deliver those activities in the same way we would have done 10 years ago.

It was also interesting to see the Chancellor acknowledge the need for investment in local government to support this infrastructure growth. The addition of 300 planning officers, though a positive step, may not be quite sufficient. Local planning authorities are essential partners in this growth agenda, but they have been stretched thin. Their role in facilitating and supporting major projects is critical for the future of every community in the UK. Let’s hope the 300 is just the start and authorities up and down the UK are able to properly consider their role in helping deliver the quantum of change needed and, as evidenced by the election, people have asked for and expect to see.

Investing in infrastructure is not just about economic growth; it’s about building a future we can be proud of. From our experience at Ardent, although there is a huge amount of nervousness and concern about the potential scale of the infrastructure pipeline, there is a sense of pride in the UK’s historical achievements in infrastructure. Few people reflect negatively on the achievements of the Victorians and their investment in transport, utilities, and more! With the right vision and commitment, we can feel equally excited about what we will deliver next.

Reflecting on the past 10 years, Brexit and the associated fallout, and COVID-19, we could all do with some excitement and positivity.

A good start from our new Chancellor, but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating!

Tom

Notes on the author

Tom Hacker is the Head of Planning and Engagement at Ardent. In his role, he oversees projects across the UK and Ireland, specialising in the renewables, utilities, transport, and regeneration sectors. With over 30 years of experience, Ardent has been at the forefront of delivering land, consent management, and engagement services in support of major projects that transform communities and drive our economy forward. For more information about our work, Land Referencing | Compulsory Purchase Compensation DCO | Ardent (ardent-management.com)