The Planning Inspectorate has updated its Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects advice pages following legislative and guidance changes that took effect on 24 July 2026. The updates remove obsolete references, reflect new application and representation processes, and signal further revisions to come during August 2026 and beyond.
The Planning Inspectorate has published non-statutory advice on how application documents and supporting information for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects should be prepared, organised and submitted. The guidance sits alongside the Planning Act 2008, the APFP Regulations 2009 and related government guidance, with emphasis on complete, well-developed applications that meet acceptance requirements before examination.
The Planning Inspectorate has published non-statutory advice on pre-application Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). It explains how the EIA process under the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 and the Planning Act 2008 should be handled before a Development Consent Order application is submitted, including screening, scoping and the use of the Rochdale Envelope.
The article outlines the legislation governing the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects development consent process, centred on the Planning Act 2008 and subsequent amending Acts. It also notes that legislation.gov.uk may not always reflect the most current amendments immediately, and points users to alternative sources for up-to-date legislation.
The article explains the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) process in England and Wales, including how Development Consent Orders are used for major projects and how applications are examined and decided. It outlines the roles of the applicant, the Planning Inspectorate, the Examining Authority and the Secretary of State, and notes that the process typically takes around 17 months.
The Planning Inspectorate has published a 2024 Pre-application Prospectus for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, setting out a new pre-application service and three service tiers. The article notes that amendments to the Planning Act 2008 introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 have made some features obsolete, and that pilots are underway ahead of a further update expected by summer 2027.
The Planning Inspectorate has published a short guide explaining how local plan examinations work under the legacy system. It outlines the role of local planning authorities, the independent examination process, and the soundness tests used to assess whether a plan can be adopted.
The Planning Inspectorate has published guidance on handling called-in planning applications, setting out expectations for timetables, correspondence, and the conduct of parties involved. It emphasises that the guidance is non-statutory, but that unreasonable behaviour can lead to costs awards and that material changes in circumstances must be reported promptly.
The Planning Inspectorate has published a procedural guide for planning appeals relating to applications submitted on or after 1 April 2026. The guidance explains the updated written representations process, the relationship to the Town and Country Planning (Appeals) (Written Representations Procedure) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, and key expectations for appellants and local planning authorities.
The Planning Inspectorate has updated its procedural guide for planning appeals relating to applications submitted on or before 31 March 2026. The revisions cover online submission limits for discontinuance notice appeals, updated appeal process guidance, changes linked to enforcement and late representations, and references to newer procedural materials and service channels.
