Guidance

Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects: National Policy Statements

Published 1 January 2012

Applies to England and Wales

© Crown copyright 2012

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationally-significant-infrastructure-projects-national-policy-statements/nationally-significant-infrastructure-projects-national-policy-statements

1. What are National Policy Statements?

National Policy Statements are produced by government. They give reasons for the policy set out in the statement and must include an explanation of how the policy takes account of government policy relating to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change. They comprise the government’s objectives for the development of nationally significant infrastructure in a particular sector and state, including:

  • how this will contribute to sustainable development
  • how these objectives have been integrated with other government policies
  • how actual and projected capacity and demand have been taken into account
  • consideration of relevant issues in relation to safety or technology
  • circumstances where it would be particularly important to address the adverse impacts of development
  • specific locations, where appropriate, in order to provide a clear framework for investment and planning decisions

They also include any other policies or circumstances that ministers consider should be taken into account in decisions on infrastructure development.

National Policy Statements undergo a democratic process of public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny before being designated (published). They provide the framework within which Examining Authorities make their recommendations to the Secretary of State.

For information about emerging draft National Policy Statements or reviews of designated National Policy Statements please refer to the website for the relevant Government Department.

2. Which sectors do National Policy Statements cover?

There are 12 designated National Policy Statements (NPS), setting out government policy on different types of national infrastructure development, which are:

2.1 Energy NPSs

  • Overarching NPS for energy (EN-1)
  • NPS for natural gas electricity generating infrastructure (EN-2)
  • NPS for renewable energy infrastructure (EN-3)
  • NPS for natural gas supply infrastructure and gas and oil pipelines (EN-4)
  • NPS for electricity networks infrastructure (EN-5)
  • NPS for nuclear power generation (EN-6)

NPSs EN-1 to EN-5 were designated on 17 January 2024

These were produced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

NPS EN-6 was designated on 19 July 2011 and had effect for listed nuclear projects capable of being deployed by the end of 2025.

This was produced by the former Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), now the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero   (DESNZ).  A new NPS is being prepared by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Transitional provisions

The suite of energy NPSs was first designated in 2011. The Secretary of State has decided that for any application accepted for examination before the 2024 designations of EN-1 to EN-5 the 2011 suite of NPSs should have effect in accordance with the terms of those NPSs:

  • Overarching NPS for Energy (EN-1)
  • NPS for Fossil Fuel Electricity Generating Infrastructure (EN-2)
  • NPS for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3)
  • NPS for Gas Supply and Gas and Oil Pipelines (EN-4)
  • NPS for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5)

2.2 Transport NPSs

  • NPS for Ports
  • National Networks NPS
  • Airports NPS

These were produced by the Department for Transport.

The NPS for ports was designated on 26 January 2012.

The national networks NPS (NNNPS) was designated on 14 January 2015. The government consulted on a draft NNNPS between 14 March 2023 to 6 June 2023.

The Airport NPS was designated on 26 June 2018.

2.3 Water, waste water and waste NPSs

  • NPS for Hazardous Waste
  • NPS for Waste Water
  • NPS for Water Resources Infrastructure

These are produced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The NPS for Hazardous Waste was published on 6 June 2013.

The NPS for Waste Water was published on 9 February 2012.

The Geological Disposal Infrastructure NPS was designated on 17 October 2019.

The NPS for Water Resources Infrastructure was designated on 18 September 2023

3. Does the Planning Inspectorate have a view on the NPSs?

The Planning Inspectorate is impartial and does not comment on government policy. However, Examining Authorities do make their recommendations within the framework provided by NPSs, as required by the Planning Act 2008.

4. What happens if the relevant NPS has not been designated?

Section 105 of the Planning Act 2008 sets out what the Secretary of State must have regard to in making his or her decision where a relevant NPS is not designated. This includes any matter that the Secretary of State thinks is important and relevant to the Secretary of State’s decision. This could include a draft NPS, if one exists.

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