National Significant Infrastructure Projects
Following concerns over the length of time it was taking for certain major development proposals to get through the planning system, the Planning Act 2008 introduced measures to streamline the decision making process for major infrastructure projects.
On this page
- The Type of scheme that can be considered under this regime is limited to the following:
- Procedure information
- Current Nationally Strategic Infrastructure Projects of Interest to Winchester City Council
The type of scheme that can be considered under this regime is limited to the following:
- those relating to energy generation, transmission or storage
- highway related development
- airport related development
- harbour facilities
- railways
- rail freight interchanges
- transfer of water resources
- waste water treatment plant
- hazardous waste facilities
Procedure information
Procedurally, the most significant point to note in the determination of an NSIP is that the decision making role which the Local Planning Authority normally exercises with regard to all development proposal is taken away from them and now rests with the Secretary of State. This means that the role of the local planning authority is now that of an interested party and consultee. The final decision is made by the Secretary of State. Under the Localism Act 2011 the Planning Inspectorate became the government agency responsible for operating the planning process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. The Planning Inspectorate assesses each project and makes recommendations to the Secretary of State. A successful decision comes in the form of what is referred to as a Development Consent Order.
Another aspect of the procedure is that the developer is required to do most of the work with regards to the project in the pre application stage. This means that any responses to consultation exercises should be directed towards the developer and not the local planning authority or the Planning Inspectorate. The responsibilities change when the proposal is formally submitted for examination at which time the Planning Inspectorate takes more of a lead role.
The link below will take you to National Infrastructure Planning website homepage where you can browse and explore the background to the process and procedure: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Current Nationally Strategic Infrastructure Projects of Interest to Winchester City Council
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) proposals which relate to land wholly or partly within the district. They are all at different stages of the process. These projects are listed below
Aquind Interconnector
This is a proposal to create a 2000 MW cross Channel electricity link which will enable power to be imported or exported. The UK side of the link would make landfall in Portsmouth with the DC cables laid in the highway up off the island, then up to A3 to Waterlooville and along the Hambledon Road (B2150) before striking off northward to Lovedean where the connection would be made to the UK national grid, utilising the existing substation. A Converter Station would be constructed on the western side of the substation to allow the power to be converted from either DC to AC or from AC to DC depending on whether power is being imported or exported.
There is some general information about Aquind who are the promoters and an overview of the scheme on their web site which can be accessed via the following link.
Five councils have an interest in this scheme and the South Downs National Park Authority is also involved given the proximity of the Converter Station to the National Park boundary. Winchester City Council is a host authority to a section of the cable route and for the Converter Station.
Southern Water Hampshire Water Transfer and Recycling Project
This is a project which involves recycling water at an additional plant at Budds Farm, Havant which is then used to ensure the Havant Thicket Reservoir (currently under construction) remains at capacity. It is proposed to construct a pipeline from the Havant Thicket Reservoir to the existing supply works at Otterbourne, crossing the southern parishes of the district.
The city council are working alongside partners across Hampshire on the project.
For further details on these projects please see Project search