What is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure project?
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) were introduced to streamline the consenting process for big infrastructure schemes in England and Wales, making it fairer and faster for local communities and applicants. Thresholds for NSIPs are defined in the Planning Act 2008, but are generally larger scale infrastructure projects for energy, transport, water, waste water, and waste.
Filter activities by area
This is an interactive map.
A map showing areas of the UK where there are NSIP projects
Have your say
Station design survey (Image choice example)
This is an example activity for demonstration purposes only. This site is operated by Delib Ltd and submitted responses will be discarded. As part of our work to modernise the UK rail system we are planning the construction of a major new railway station to link the South West with the North. This planned station will reduce journey times and ease the pressure on other large railway stations on the network. We would like feedback from the public to help guide our decisions for...
Energy pipeline project
The aim of this consultation is to gather feedback for the new energy pipeline that is planned for the South of England. We aim to establish what is required to ensure the new pipeline will be of least disruption whilst reducing environmental impact as much as possible. The original pipeline route was planned in 2010 and is now being reviewed due to more widespread concern regarding the environmental impacts of the fossil fuel industry on our natural landscape.
The NSIPs process
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects are submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. They then follow this process:
Applicant submits proposal
An applicant submits an application for a development consent order to the Planning Inspectorate. These can be developments like:
- offshore wind farms
- power stations and electric lines
- motorways and other major roads
- railways
- gas pipelines
Application examined
Independent inspectors are appointed to examine application and make recommendations to the relevant Secretary of State about whether permission for development should be given. Proposals are examined during a multistep process where members of the public and stkeholders will have chance to have their say.
Decision
The relevant Secretary of State makes the final decision.
There are several stages in the process for considering whether a national infrastructure project should be given consent. The whole process can take around 18 months.
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