Government ministers have published an action plan for speeding up major developments including offshore windfarms and transport infrastructure. The announcement on National Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) - which applies to England and Wales - was made in the context of the need to improve energy security, achieve net zero, and deliver effective transport, water and waste management. The ten year old statements covering Energy and National Networks are currently under review. Both of these documents have detailed sections covering noise and vibration impacts.
In a statement announcing the reforms Ministers acknowledge that cumulative impacts, particularly in the offshore wind and electricity networks sector, require strategic solutions beyond the remit of individual projects. They also want to see faster deployment of these projects, without compromising communities or environment. Government ministers have stated they want a reformed regime that is be better, faster, greener, fairer and more resilient.
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects are large-scale projects related to energy; transport; water; waste water and waste, and have a separate planning process. Government say that between 2012 and 2021 there was a 65% increase in the time it took for projects to go through the NSIP process, and the action plan aims to tackle this.
IOA will take any opportunities to contribute to the development of the acoustics aspects of reformed policy as it develops.
National Significant Infrastructure Project Action Plan
