What is an NSIP?
Nationally Strategic Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) are large-scale projects that relate to either energy, waste, transport or water and examples include roads, railway lines, nuclear power stations, solar and wind farms and electricity pylons. Because they are large and complicated they take many years to complete.
How are these dealt with?
Instead of applying to the local authority for planning permission, the developer of an NSIP must apply to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) for a different kind of permission - known as a Development Consent Order (DCO). The Planning Inspectorate is responsible for undertaking a DCO examination and writing a report with recommendations to the Secretary of State to aid their decision-making process.
Is there guidance to help parishes?
Yes, in partnership with Suffolk County Council, we have helped co-produce guidance called "Getting to Grips with NSIPs" - you can access a copy using this link. It is specifically designed for the town and parish council sector.
There is also this Government guidance and further information about the the projects, the people and organisations involved.
Community engagement and wellbeing guidance
This supplementary guidance has been produced by Suffolk County Council which outlines in principle how they expect project promoters to:
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secure effective dialogue with communities about change
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ensure assessment of community wellbeing and
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secure and safeguard community wellbeing.
Is there a map of all NSIPs?
Yes, Suffolk County Council have developed this inter-active map which displays NSIPs across Suffolk and neighbouring districts. Where Suffolk County Council have received written permission, they have published the Order Limits of each proposal. Where they have not obtained written permission, point data at the centre of the NSIP has been provided. Small scale (non-NSIP) ground-mounted solar farms are also shown as yellow dots. The tool includes several utility functions, including the ability to tap or click on each NSIP to view more detail and a bookmark selector which allows you to scroll through a carousel to re-focus the map on each NSIP, also with a brief description.
Latest news and updates
Following representations made at Suffolk County Council's Scrutiny Committee in June 2023, parish councils are now updated on the status of Suffolk's current and potential NSIPs through a digital newsletter. See links below:
Links to district and county council information
District Councils have informative dedicated pages on their websites which can be accessed below: