PLANNING REFORM FOR NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

The UK government has proposed several reforms aimed at streamlining the approval process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). These changes are designed to reduce delays, increase efficiency, and foster economic growth.

The average decision time for NSIPs has increased from 2.1 years in 2012 to 4.6 years in 2021. The reforms aim to reverse this trend by delivering a faster and less costly regime.

The government aims to reduce judicial review delays by scrapping the “paper permission stage,” allowing cases to proceed directly to oral hearings. Claims deemed “totally without merit” will be barred from further appeals. And target timescales will be set for judicial reviews in higher courts.

Reforms aim to simplify consultation processes while maintaining public engagement, making it easier for developers to navigate the system.

These reforms are part of a broader initiative under the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which aims to address inefficiencies in the NSIP regime while supporting critical infrastructure development across the UK.