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
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding..