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Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)

What are Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)?

NSIPs 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 examination process.

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

Here is a brief summary of the process:

  1. The applicant is first required to consult with a range of people including the local community and relevant public authorities.
  2. After this, they can submit the application and a government appointed planning inspector will determine if the application is suitable to go forward to a public examination.
  3. Should that be successful, the planning inspector will hear the views of interested parties, which can include members of the community, and then will go away to consider and examine all the details.
  4. The planning inspector then prepares a report and recommendation for the Secretary of State who then decides whether to grant or refuse permission.

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

NSIPs in South Oxfordshire

Although there is currently only one NSIPs within South Oxfordshire, we know that going forwards there is likely to be a substantial increase in the number of projects that will fall under the NSIP umbrella – for example – data centres.

The White Horse Reservoir (formerly known as the South East Strategic Reservoir Option, or SESRO)

The district is impacted by the Thames Water White Horse Reservoir proposal. Whilst the main body of the reservoir is sited in neighbouring Vale of White Horse district, some parts of the Draft Order Limits which cross into the district around Culham.