The number of national infrastructure projects that will be fast-tracked through the planning system is a cause for concern, says the chairman of the Local Government Association.

The planning bill, which will pass through the Lords this year, allows big projects to be waved through if they are approved by a new infrastructure planning commission. But Sir Simon Milton told the FT that more than 40 projects ranging from trunk roads to wind farms had been put forward by the government – more than the “single figure” number that would be appropriate.