TO BE PUBLISHED April 2025
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This conference will discuss priorities for the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime in England.
It will be an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to assess reform to the NSIP scheme, with a focus on operational reforms aiming to ensure a smoother process, as well as recent changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.
It follows the recent announcement by the Prime Minister of plans to change the rules regarding NSIPs, with the aim of speeding up the decision-making process and reduce legal challenges.
We are pleased to be able to include a keynote session with Lord Banner KC. Following the Government’s acceptance of recommendations in his independent review of approaches to reforming the judicial review process of Development Consent Orders, the conference will look at implications going forward and the implementation of the review’s findings. We expect discussion on the way forward for reducing infrastructure project costs, with the National Infrastructure Commission identifying challenges in the sector in their recent Cost drivers of major infrastructure projects in the UK report.
Delegates will examine proposed changes, and what will be required in implementation to achieve aims for simplified consenting processes that enable quick but thorough evaluations, reducing overall delays, minimising costs, addressing concerns surrounding legal challenges, and supporting certainty for investors, developers and communities.
The agenda includes discussion on the broadened range of developments that may soon opt into the regime, looking at the reintegration of large onshore wind projects and threshold changes for nationally significant projects. Latest thinking on the role of local communities will also be examined, as well as strategies for strengthening engagement and priorities for supporting the natural environment.
Further discussion is expected on the proposed role of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority as it moves toward planned operation in spring 2025, looking at priorities for its effective implementation.
Further keynote speakers include: Alicia Ford, Deputy Director, National Infrastructure Planning, MHCLG; Nick Grant, Barrister, Landmark Chambers; and Robbie Owen, Partner and Head, Infrastructure Planning and Government Affairs, Pinsent Masons. We are in touch with additional senior contributors.
Overall, planned areas for discussion include:
- assessing key reforms:
- Nationally Significant Infrastructure action plan implementation - updates to National Policy Statements
- alignment with a forthcoming 10-year infrastructure strategy - adapting to proposals in the National Planning Policy Framework
- the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill, expected early in 2025
- streamlining consent: issues for implementation - examining fast-track approvals - balancing speed with thorough evaluation - clarifying revised guidance - reducing administrative complexities
- strengthening community input: achieving meaningful local engagement - strategies for building trust with stakeholders - addressing concerns fairly - transparent decision-making
- environmental safeguards: developing and applying robust mitigation measures - integrating net zero targets - protecting habitats - prioritising sustainable resource use - applying mandatory BNG to DCOs
- NSIP scope: adjusting thresholds for solar and wind - considering eligibility for laboratories and data centres - reviewing reintegration of onshore wind - shaping a flexible project pipeline
- legal challenges: reviewing recommendations from Lord Banner and options going forward - evaluating judicial review processes - fair access to justice - assessing options for limiting delays
- project costs: next steps following NIC findings - strategies for refining budgeting and design - supporting and rolling out innovative construction methods - improving delivery efficiency
- strategic oversight: priorities for NISTA’s new role - coordination on national priorities - accountability in implementation - best practice for resilient infrastructure planning - options for more efficient construction methods - increasing certainty for investors and developers
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
