A report published this week recommends that Government should amend legislation to bring proposals for onshore wind farms into the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) system as soon as possible. The report, from the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) recommends that, to be fit for purpose National Planning Policy Statements for Energy, Water and National Networks should be updated at least every five years. In February the government asked the NIC to review the role of National Policy Statements in National infrastructure planning, as the timescales for permission to be granted have been increasing.
The report, Delivering Net Zero, Climate Resilience and Growth, states these recommendations are driven by the need in the next decade for the UK to consent and build transformational infrastructure including wind farms, electricity transmission lines and reservoirs to achieve energy security and net zero, and build resilience to climate change.
UK Government asked the NIC to undertake the work to look at improving the process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure projects.
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) are large scale developments (relating to energy, transport, water, or waste) which require a type of consent known as “development consent”. The NSIP regime applies in England and Wales.
More on the report
National Infrastructure Commission Infrastructure Planning Study - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
