The Government has published a consultation response, confirming reforms to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) application process.

The consultation, which was launched last September, builds on measures contained in the Planning and Infrastructure Act.

NSIPs are large scale major development projects in the energy, transport, waste, waste water and water sectors and include projects such as windfarms, airports, electricity lines, reservoirs and waste-water treatment plants.

Government says it will  scrap the mandatory pre-application consultation requirements for NSIPs, with developers instead receiving earlier “technical support and meaningful advice from the Planning Inspectorate”. Plus, the Government and the Planning Inspectorate will encourage the earlier submission of Local Impact Reports (LIRs), including draft LIRs. The moves will cut up to 12 months from the planning process and potentially saving industry £1bn this Parliament, it added. 

Government will set out further details of the new guidance shortly, including on the pre-application period to support the removal of the statutory consultation, which will come into effect on 24 July.

In total 41 decisions on major infrastructure projects – including Mona Offshore Wind Farm, Gate Burton Energy Park and the Lower Thames Crossing - have been made so far in the current Parliament.

Changes set out in the government’s consultation response on NSIP reforms include:  

• New guidance on the pre-application period to support the removal of statutory consultation.  
• Redesigning services provided by the Planning Inspectorate to support developers during pre-application with earlier technical input and meaningful advice from inspectors.  
• Encouraging the earlier submission of Local Impact Reports (LIRs), including draft LIRs, alongside relevant representations to inform the Examining Authority of Principal Issues and focus on key local impacts.  
• Supporting efficient and streamlined examinations through greater focus on Initial Assessments of Principal Issues (IAPIs). This is when Examining Authorities identify the key issues for examination and use them to focus the structure and conduct of examinations on the key issues, while continuing to consider all relevant matters.  
• A more streamlined process for other planning routes by removing mandatory pre-application consultation requirements that currently apply to certain onshore wind projects seeking permission through the Town and Country Planning Act. Legislation currently dictates that up to and including 100MW facilities are evaluated by local authorities rather than the centralised NSIP process.

Click here to read the consultation outcome.