MPs debate National Policy Statements on energy

MPs approved the government's final set of National Policy Statements on energy, which include plans to speed up the planning process for major renewable energy projects.

• Parliament TV: National Policy Statements on Energy
• Commons Hansard: National Policy Statement on Energy
• Topics: Energy and environment

National Policy Statements

The 2008 Planning Act introduced a new planning system for applications to build Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) in England and Wales. The system covers applications for major energy generation, railways, ports, major roads, airports and water and hazardous waste infrastructure.

National policy is set out in a series of National Policy Statements, which establish a national case for infrastructure development and set the policy framework for infrastructure planning commission decisions.

Policy statements can be reviewed by the Secretary of State if there is a change in circumstance. Currently the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) examine and determine applications for NSIPs.

Further information on National Policy Statements on energy

The National Policy Statements on energy can be found on the Department for Energy and Climate Change website.

• Department for Energy and Climate Change: National Policy Statements on Energy Infrastructure