[1][2] The act targets "transport, energy provision, housing development and nationally significant infrastructure projects",[1] and has been the subject of some degree of controversy.

[5] Other areas of the Infrastructure Act 2015 closely related to environmental issues include sections on Renewable Heat Incentives, off-site carbon abatement measures and cycling and walking investment strategies, making environmental issues a significant focus of the Act.

[1][11] In addition to housing, key UK development and planning issues were addressed within the Act by efforts "to make provision about nationally significant infrastructure projects...to make provision about town and country planning...to make provision about the Homes and Communities Agency and Mayoral development corporations...to make provision for giving members of communities the right to buy stakes in local renewable electricity generation facilities".

[12] Section 43 permits fracking without consent under 'landward areas' in England and Wales, below a surface level of 300 meters.

The regulations state that "The associated hydraulic fracturing will not take place within protected groundwater source areas".