Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects - Advice on working with public bodies in the infrastructure planning process, Annex G: The Health and Safety Executive
Summary
The Planning Inspectorate has published an annex to its infrastructure planning advice note explaining the Health and Safety Executive’s role in the planning process. It sets out HSE’s statutory consultation functions for hazardous development, consultation distances around major hazard sites, and the availability of a web app for checking whether land falls within a consultation zone. The annex is noted as not yet reflecting changes introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and will be updated in due course.
Why it matters
Surveyors involved in development, land referencing or due diligence may need to identify HSE consultation zones and understand when statutory consultation applies. The note also signals that planning guidance is being updated, which may affect advice given on sites near hazardous installations or pipelines.
Key points
- Annex G supplements Advice Note Eleven on working with public bodies in infrastructure planning.
- HSE acts as a statutory consultee for certain development near major hazard installations and pipelines.
- Consultation distances and separation distances are relevant for hazardous substances and explosives sites.
- HSE provides a free web app for checking whether a site lies within a consultation zone.
- The annex will be updated to reflect the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 changes.
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