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

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Planning News

Planning reform working paper—reforming site thresholds

Planning analysis: The government has published a working paper on reforming site size thresholds to support housing delivery on different types of sites. This means taking a gradated approach to the system as a whole—removing and streamlining disproportionate requirements on small and medium sites, while maintaining and strengthening requirements on major development. This analysis looks at the key proposals and implications.

Planning weekly highlights—12 June 2025

This week's edition of Planning weekly highlights includes: High Court decisions on consultation of NPSs and temporary permitted development rights; the Spending Review; a new AI tool to accelerate the planning permissions process and analysis of consultations on: implementation of a new statutory build-out reporting framework, amendments to the BNG framework to support smaller and brownfield development, site thresholds and reform of planning committees.

Defra and Natural England publish guidance on management plans for Protected Landscapes

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Natural England have jointly published guidance on the preparation and review of management plans for Protected Landscapes in England. These landscapes include National Parks, the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads and designated National Landscapes. Management plans are prepared, published, and reviewed by one of the following bodies: (1) the National Park Authority; (2) the Broads Authority; (3) the National Landscape Conservation Board; or (4) a National Landscape Partnership acting on behalf of local authorities with land in the National Landscape. Plans must be published within two to three years of a landscape’s designation, depending on the landscape type, and reviewed every five years.

Modernising planning committees—proposed reforms and implications

Planning analysis: On 28 May 2025, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) launched a technical consultation on proposed reforms to planning committees in England, closing on 23 July 2025. These reforms are part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill's implementation and aim to modernise planning decision-making processes. The proposed reforms seek to enhance the efficiency, consistency, and quality of planning decisions in England. By standardising delegation, optimising committee structures, mandating training, and refining performance metrics, the government aims to create a more responsive planning system that supports sustainable development and economic growth.