Major infrastructure projects in energy, transport, water, waste, and waste water may be classified as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) under the Planning Act 2008.
These large-scale projects require approval through a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Secretary of State rather than a traditional planning application.
How does the process work?
Applications for NSIPs are submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, which examines the proposal and makes a recommendation to the Secretary of State, who makes the final decision.
The process from submission to determination typically takes around 15 months.
Find out more about the NSIP process on the Planning Inspectorate’s website.