National Significant Infrastructure Projects

The Government has introduced the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) process to deal with the granting of development consent for large-scale projects such as major new transport, utilities and energy infrastructure, as well as large-scale business and commercial developments.

NSIP development consent orders (DCO) are a form of planning permission that can integrate other types of approval, such as highways/infrastructure works and compulsory purchase orders (CPO).

NSIP applications are determined by The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) through independent examination, a form of public inquiry, rather than by the council as the Local Planning Authority.  The project developers are nevertheless required to carry out extensive pre-application public consultation prior to submitting their application direct to PINS.

Further information on the NSIP process can be found at National Infrastructure Planning.

To find out how you can get involved in the planning process for NSIP applications, please visit PINS Advice Note 8.

Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects in Sunderland

International Advanced Manufacturing Park

The Sunderland and South Tyneside City Deal includes a vision to develop an International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) on land to the north of the Nissan car manufacturing plant alongside the A19(T).  To take this project forward, the two councils and our project partners are preparing an NSIP development consent order application in parallel with the preparation of a joint IAMP Area Action Plan as part of their respective Local Plans.

The Government directed that the IAMP project should require development consent under the NSIP regime on 15 September 2015.  The direction applies to land to the north of the existing Nissan site, to the west of the A19 and the south the A184.  It relates to buildings and facilities for manufacturing uses, but also includes elements for research and development, storage and distribution and office uses.

IAMP Section 35 Qualifying Submission Plan

International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) - project proposals.

The Planning Inspectorate - International Advanced Manufacturing Park - examination information.

For more information see www.iampnortheast.com

What does NSIP designation mean for Planning Applications?

The Government's direction under Section 35 of the Planning Act 2008 means that any planning application for that particular development project must now go through the Government's Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) development consent order (DCO) process.

The NSIP consenting process brings together planning, land assembly, environmental and access matters for a proposed project within a single consultation, application, public examination and decision making process, determined by the Secretary of State.  If successful, this would result in a development consent order, which would contain all permissions, powers and consents necessary to enable the project to proceed.

The S35 direction also means that the council (as the local planning authority) must refer any planning application or proposed application for development falling within the scope of the Secretary of State's direction to the Secretary of State instead of dealing with it themselves.  The council will therefore be unable to validate planning applications made for any element of such development under the usual Town and Country Planning Act 1990 procedures. 

Landowners, developers or their agents seeking to engage in pre-application discussions relating to any development within the Section 35 boundary are therefore advised to contact the Council before proceeding.  We will then take a decision with our legal advisors on whether the proposal should be referred to the Secretary of State.

Any application made for a development consent order must comply with Chapter 2 of Part 5 (pre-application procedure) of the Planning Act 2008 (as amended) and be of a standard that the Secretary of State finds satisfactory.

It is an offence to carry out development for which development consent is required at a time when no development consent is in force in respect of that development.

IAMP TWO consultation 

IAMP LLP (the Applicant) are consulting on IAMP TWO from 25 March to 19 May. 

Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) - This document explains how the Applicant intend to consult with the community and key stakeholders during the IAMP TWO consultation. 

Please download a copy or visit www.iamp-consultation.com for more information.