Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)

There are plans for a growing number of nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) in the Vale of White Horse over the next ten years or more.

What are Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects?

NSNSIPs are large scale projects falling into five general categories (energy; transport; water; wastewater and waste) which are considered by the Government to be so big and nationally important that permission to build them needs to be given at a national level, by the Government, rather than by the local authorities.

Instead of applying to the local authority for planning permission, the developer must apply to the Planning Inspectorate for a different permission called a Development Consent Order (DCO).

The developer is responsible for setting the timetable and consultation process for this project.

The district council does not make the final decision on the proposal but will be closely involved in the decision making and examination process.

Because of the scale of NSIPs, the process has many stages and can seem complicated.

The full process is explained here on the government’s website.