Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects Simon Ridley Chief Executive, The Planning Inspectorate 6 October 2014

UK Infrastructure Conference and Expo – October 2014 Principles of the National Infrastructure regime developed over many years  Reduce delays  Policy lead process  One stop shop

UK Infrastructure Conference and Expo – October 2014 The 2008 Act developed the regime based around clear principles  Clear and statutory timetable  Front loaded  Predominantly Written Representations  National Policy addresses need and principles  Development as applied for (Development Consent Order)

UK Infrastructure Conference and Expo – October 2014 The Government provided a strong political imperative “An all-out mission to kick- start infrastructure projects and revive the economy” (October 2011)

UK Infrastructure Conference and Expo – October 2014 Regime now covering a very wide range of projects Energy Transport Water Waste water Waste Business and commercial New!

UK Infrastructure Conference and Expo – October 2014 Clear steps in the process and considerable certainty about timing DEVELOPER PINS SofS Pre-application Acceptance Pre-examination Examination Recommendation Decision 1 Year plus 1 Year ca 4-5 months

UK Infrastructure Conference and Expo – October 2014 Growth in projects reaching a steady state

UK Infrastructure Conference and Expo – October 2014 Energy and transport are vast majority of projects EnergyTransportWasteWaste Water Business & Commercial Total Pre-Application Acceptance 1 1 Pre-Examination 51 6 Examination Recommendation 23 5 SoS Decision 4 4 Post Decision Total

UK Infrastructure Conference and Expo – October 2014 All but one project have been fully in statutory timescales

UK Infrastructure Conference and Expo – October 2014 Impact of regime is significant Sizewell B  4.5 years to consent  Inquiry - 2 years, 3 months Hinkley C  18 months to consent  13 days of hearings

UK Infrastructure Conference and Expo – October 2014 Economic impact is from implementable decisions

UK Infrastructure Conference and Expo – October 2014 Regime is working well, but we continue to seek improvements  Getting National Policy Statements in place  Continue to refine pre application and examination processes  Engagement with local authorities and communities  Post consent changes to Development Consent Orders