What are NSIPs?
NSIPs are large scale major development projects that require consent under the Planning Act 2008. These projects do not require planning permission from the local planning authority.
Consent is often granted in the form of a single statutory instrument known as a Development Consent Order (DCO).
Applications for DCO’s are handled by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), on behalf of the relevant Secretary of State. The Planning Inspectorate will examine the application, impacts and evidence provided by all stakeholders including the Council and make a recommendation to the relevant Secretary of State. It is the Secretary of State who makes the final decision about whether a DCO should be granted.
To find out more about nationally significant infrastructure projects, including how to have your say, read the Planning Inspectorate’s guidance: The stages of the NSIP process and how you can have your say.
Devon County Council’s Role in NSIPs
Where a project falls within DCC’s administrative boundary, DCC will be considered a statutory consultee and a ‘host authority’ within the Development Consent Order Process.
Local authorities, as host authorities, are considered to have an important role to play in the NSIP process, they:
- Provide the applicant with a local perspective on the proposed project;
- If consent is granted, they need to monitor and enforce some parts of the DCO;
- If consent is granted, they may be the authority to discharge certain requirements (equivalent to discharging conditions of a planning permission).
The Government consider it is in the local authority’s interests to:
- Proactively engage with the applicant on their proposed scheme; and
- Take part in all stages of the NSIP process.
Planning Team
DCC’s Planning Team will work collaboratively across all service areas of the Council, as well as the relevant District Council, to ensure that the full impacts across Devon are considered. Devon County Council will primarily focus on impacts relating to our functions as a Council:
- Highways and Transportation, including Public Rights of Way
- Surface Water Drainage
- Minerals and Waste
- Archaeology
- Socio-Economics (including education and economy)
- Public Health
- Climate Change
The team also work to ensure that all possible benefits to Devon are explored and maximised. Any comments we make must be considered before a Development Consent Order can be issued.
After the Development Consent Order has been issued, we are responsible for monitoring how it is implemented by the developer.
Current NSIPs affecting Devon
Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project
The Xlinks project falls within Devon County Council’s administrative boundary, therefore, Devon County Council is considered a statutory consultee and a joint ‘host authority’ with Torridge District Council and North Devon Council, within the Development Consent Order process.
The project is for the construction of two converter stations to the immediate west
of the existing Alverdiscott 400 kV substation, with associated underground electricity cables to the Cornborough Range (Landfall), and offshore cable infrastructure within the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), alongside additional works to facilitate the proposed development, such as highway alterations.
Xlinks submitted a DCO application to PINS on 21st November 2024, which was accepted by PINS on 19th December 2024.
The application documents can be viewed on the Planning Inspectorate’s website.
To find out more about nationally significant infrastructure projects, including how to have your say, read the Planning Inspectorate’s guidance: The stages of the NSIP process and how you can have your say.