James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe, will introduce a Ten-Minute Rule Bill in parliament today (Tuesday, 28th April) aimed at giving local communities a stronger voice in the transition to cleaner energy.
The proposed legislation would place a duty on local authorities in England to produce and maintain Local Area Energy Plans, creating a consistent and structured way for communities to shape how and where energy infrastructure is delivered in their area.
Drawing on his professional background in the energy sector and experience of leading community engagement on major infrastructure projects, including in Nottinghamshire, the MP is seeking to address a gap between national energy strategy and local involvement.
As the UK undertakes a major expansion of energy infrastructure to support the transition away from fossil fuels, there is currently no requirement for local consultation comparable to the system used in housing planning which has mandatory community engagement milestones. While individual energy projects often include consultation, there is no overarching framework that allows communities to engage meaningfully with the bigger picture of energy development in their area.
The Bill aims to change this by ensuring that local authorities take a proactive role in planning for energy needs, rather than reacting to individual applications. It would require councils to identify suitable locations for energy infrastructure, supported by better access to data from network operators, and give these plans weight in planning and regulatory decisions.
Speaking about the Bill, James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe, said: “This Bill is about making sure the transition to clean energy happens with communities, not to them.
“Right now, people often feel blindsided by projects appearing in their area without a clear sense of the bigger picture. Local Area Energy Plans will help to create that picture and give communities a genuine say in how their area contributes to a cleaner, more secure energy system. This is especially important in places like Rushcliffe where we have National Grid connections and have historically produced energy for other parts of the country.
“Handled well, energy infrastructure can bring jobs, investment and a sense of local ownership. But without proper engagement, it can quickly become a source of frustration and opposition. This Bill is about getting that balance right and ensuring that local voices are heard alongside national priorities.”
The proposed legislation would also improve coordination between national and regional energy planning by ensuring local insights – including local demand and constraints – are fed into wider strategic plans. This would likely reduce delays, minimise conflict and support more efficient delivery of infrastructure over the mid to long term.
The Bill is clear that Local Area Energy Plans couldn’t be used to block energy projects or override national policy, but could be a vehicle to promote engagement and improve how projects are delivered locally. With significant investment in energy infrastructure expected over the coming years, the Bill highlights the importance of acting now to ensure that national and local planning systems are aligned.
With the current parliamentary session due to end in the next few days, the Bill won’t be advanced immediately but the MP and his team of hopeful that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will consider the benefits of mandatory Local Area Energy Plans outside the legislative process.
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