Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects are projects of a certain type, over a certain size or significance, and as such considered by the Government to be of national importance and as a result permission should to be given at the National level, by the responsible Government minister at thetime (the ‘Secretary of State’).
These projects apply for permission directly to the Planning Inspectorate, rather than the local authority, using a different form and process which is set out in the Planning Act 2008 and referred to as a Development Consent Order (DCO). The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) was originally formed in 2008 to carry out this work regardig NSIPs, however under the under the Localism Act 2011 it was abolished. Since April 2012 the Infrastructure Planning Unit which is within the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has been responsible for operating the planning process for NSIPs.
Under The Planning Act 2008, nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) fall into five general categories; Energy; Transport; Water; Waste Water and Waste and can include projects as diverse as electricity generation, rail freight interchanges, reservoirs and hazardous waste facilities.
Scoping Requests are made at the pre-planning stage and are sent to the various relevant consultation bodies invloved in the process. Acceptance for Examination describes the stage confirming an application has been accepted for examination under Section 56 of the Planning Act 2008. A Rule 6 Notice refers to a letter from the Planning Inspectorate giving Notice of the Preliminary Meeting concerning the matter. The Rule 8 Notice refers to a letter or notice from the Planning Inspectorate confirme dthe procedural decisions made following the preliminary meeting and formally opening the examination stage of the process. At this stage statutory parties that have not made a relevant representation are asked if they wish to become an Interested Party.
The Planning Inspectorate are required to publish monthly updates Performance updates, these updates also include the number of NSIPs current in the systems. In September 2022 the inspectorate had 'a high number of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) at various stages. They include 70 national infrastructure schemes where we are providing advice before submission, 10 applications being considered by us and 12 proposals where we have completed our recommendations and the Secretary of State’s decision is awaited. These are vital to the ongoing support by The Planning Inspectorate to the country’s economic recovery."
In February 2023 the Government published the policy paper "Nationally Significant Infrastructure: action plan for reforms to the planning process" calling for a overhaul of the existing system.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Breaking Barriers in Infrastructure - perspectives from the profession
- Crossrail 2.
- Development Consent Order.
- Engineers make policy decisions a reality.
- Environmental Impact Assessment.
- Environmental Statement.
- Generation nuclear.
- Instrumentation operated in the national interest.
- Is a bridge needed between Scotland and Northern Ireland?
- Listed building consent.
- Localism Act.
- Major Projects Authority.
- National Infrastructure Plan.
- National Infrastructure Planning Reform Programme.
- Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project initiatives reach milestone.
- Permission for mining or working of minerals.
- Planning Act 2008.
- Planning permission.
- Safeguarding land.
- Wind farm.
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.