Planning circular 4/2025: planning obligations and good neighbour agreements

Annex – Definition of “Infrastructure First” from NPF4

Infrastructure First:

Putting infrastructure considerations at the heart of placemaking. For the purpose of applying the Infrastructure First policy, the following meaning of infrastructure will apply:

• communications – including digital and telecommunications networks and connections;
• existing and planned transport infrastructure and services;
• water management – supply, drainage systems and sewerage (including flood risk management);
• energy supplies/energy generation – including electricity and heat networks, distribution and transmission electricity grid networks, and gas supplies;
• health and social care services – including both services provided in the community directly by Health Boards and services provided on their behalf by contractors such as GPs, dentists and pharmacists;
• education – including early years, primary, secondary, further and higher education services;
• green and blue infrastructure; and
• spaces for play and recreation.