Development consent orders

The Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008) reformed the planning application process in England and Wales to provide a faster and more streamlined development consent system for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) in the field of transport, energy, water, waste water and waste infrastructure.

Applications for development consent for NSIPs are submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. The relevant Secretary of State is the decision maker on all applications for development consent orders (DCOs). The Secretary of State may advise on the merits of an application or proposed application.

See Practice Note: Permission for nationally significant infrastructure projects.

National policy statements

Applications for a DCO are decided in accordance with any applicable National Policy Statements (NPSs), which set out the national policy in relation to particular types of NSIPs.

NPSs undergo a democratic process of public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny, before being designated, ie adopted.

See Practice Note: National Policy Statements.

Development consent granted by the Secretary of State for an NSIP takes the form of a DCO. This combines a grant of planning permission with a range of other separate

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