Nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIP) are major infrastructure developments in England and Wales, such as proposals for power plants, large renewable energy projects, new airports and airport extensions, major road projects etc. NSIP status allows developers to bypass local planning requirements.
From October 1, 2009 the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) became the decision-making body for NSIPs. Until 1 March 2010, the IPC will provide advice and guidance about the new processes for submitting applications for consent for NSIP schemes; after this date it will start to receive applications.
The new IPC website was also launched on 1 October 2009 and the new chief executive was announced on 14 October 2009 as being John Saunders. On 22 October 2009, the first major infrastructure projects that the IPC expects to receive as applications were announced, including five wind farms, two nuclear power stations and a biomass power plant. The first commercial venture to be awarded NSIP status was the London Paramount Entertainment Resort project in May 2014.
The responsibility for decision making for NSIPs schemes was granted to the IPC by the provisions laid out in the Planning Act 2008.