Current Issues

On the 26 November 2008, the Planning Bill received Royal Assent, nearly a year to the day it was introduced in Parliament (First Reading took place on the 27 November 2007). The Planning Act 2008 (Act) paves the way for a radically new system for approving Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) in England and Wales.

The new system is founded upon the introduction a National Policy Statement (NPS) - a statement by the Secretary of State (SoS) setting out government policy in relation to one or more specified descriptions of development in the fields of energy, transport, water, waste water or waste, for England and (in some cases) Wales and Scotland. In addition, a new body to be called the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) will determine the NSIP application and grant or refuse a Development Consent Order (DCO) in respect of the application. This DCO will take the place of (i.e. remove the need and ability to apply for) consents under a variety of current regimes.