Legislative Updates

National Policy Statements (NPS)

On the 9th November 2009 the Government released 7 of the 12 National Policy Statement (NPS). The first focus on energy and ports. They are intended to establish the national need for a particular type of major infrastructure, together with a series of criteria relating to the benefits and impacts of a development.

In the field of Energy, there will be six National Policy Statements prepared by the Department of Energy and Climate Change. The first of these will provide the context for energy policy and a further five will define the national infrastructure needs for; Renewable Energy (onshore and offshore wind, biomass, etc), Fossil Fuels, Oil and Gas Supply and Storage, Electricity Networks (power lines) and Nuclear Power.

In the field of transport there will be three National Policy Statements, prepared by the Department for Transport.  They will define the national infrastructure need for; Ports, Transport Networks and Aviation.

In the water, waste water and waste sectors, three National Policy Statements will be prepared by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They will define the national infrastructure need for Water Supply, Hazardous Waste and Waste Water Treatment.

The Planning Act 2008