National Policy Statements (NPS)

09-Nov-09

On the 9th November 2009 the Government released 7 of the 12 National Policy Statements (NPS). The first focus on energy and ports. They are intended to establish the national need for a particular type of major infrastructure, together with a series of criteria relating to the benefits and impacts of a development.

You can view the Infrastructure Planning Commission Implementation route map published in December 2009 here. It sets out the process for the preparation of national policy statements, regulations & guidance, as well as a range of other measures required to enable the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) to transition into their decision making role.

The RTPI has been a strong supporter of the principle that the UK should develop NPSs for key infrastructures, to inform planning decision making. For this reason, the RTPI has supported key components of the Planning Act 2008.

For our nation to respond effectively to our need to renovate energy and transport infrastructures to meet the challenge of climate change, we need a certain policy framework to take expeditious decisions. The Infrastructure Planning Commission can deliver this. 

Our clearly articulated tests for sound NPSs were developed with our members through the passing of the Planning Act 2008:

  • They must be drawn up on a firm base of rigorously tested evidence
  • They must consider a broad range of options and their implications
  • They must take as their guiding and integrating principle the promotion of sustainable development
  • They must be as locationally-specific as possible
  • They must be thoroughly tested through open and transparent public engagement and debate

In addition, the RTPI believe that the policies must be:

  • spatial
  • integrated
  • cross-cutting
  • programme related (i.e. be cognisant of funding and implementation considerations)
  • closely related to existing policies such as Planning Policy Statements or their equivalent.

These criteria will help inform the RTPI in it's response to each NPS.

The RTPI has responded to the first raft of national policy statements in a media release which can be accessed here.

Member Consultation on National Policy Statements

The RTPI is committed to a full and wide ranging consultation with its members on the raft of NPSs coming forward. Through this web page you will be able to submit your views on emerging government consultations and help shape and inform the RTPI's responses.

Please click here to add your comments to our discussion forum or email our Policy Team. Your views will be considered when preparing our response to the Government's National Policy Statements.

As they are submitted, responses to consultations will be available here.

We have set up individual online discussion forums for each NPS. Click on the links below if you would like further information on each NPS and for your opportunity to contribute to these.

Energy & Climate Change Select Committee

Click here to read the RTPI's submission to the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee review of the Energy NPSs.

Transport Select Committee

Click here to access the RTPI's submission to the Transport Select Committee reviewing the Ports NPS.

Consultation for National Policy Statement for Ports

The RTPI submitted its response to the Ports NPS consultation on the 15th February 2010.

Consultation for Energy National Policy Statements

The RTPI submitted its response to the National Policy Statements for Energy Infrastructure on the 22nd February 2010.

Energy National Policy Statements include:

Together with:

  • Ports NPS
  • National Networks (Road & Rail) NPS (expected 2010)
  • Waste Water NPS (expected Spring 2010)
  • Hazardous Waste NPS (expected Summer 2010)
  • Water Supply NPS (expected late 2010)
  • Aviation NPS (expected 2011)

Criteria

The RTPI believes that a distinction should be drawn between national and international criteria and that the government should take into account the Regional Spatial Strategies and the core strategy which will include local interest through their own consultation processes. We do not however, support local councils attempting to place a ban on sites in their local plans. 

National Spatial Strategy

There is still a missing element: that of the national spatial planning framework, found in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland but not in England. Establishing a national spatial infrastructure plan will be key to consulting with the public by helping raise capacity for understanding where the major projects will be located and why.

The Planning Act 2008 does not require the policies to join up to form a national spatial plan, although as they are developed, the benefits of and indeed necessity for horizontal integration between them are likely to become even more apparent. RTPI research and the experience of nations other than England demonstrate the potential benefits of such a plan and the RTPI will continue to campaign for its development.

If you would like to find out more about what the RTPI is doing to respond to national policy statements please contact the policy team.

Related RTPI policy positions

 
Author:
Rebecca Coates
Publisher:
The Royal Town Planning Institute
Date:
09-Nov-09
Categories:
Nations & Regions, Networks & Associations, Planning / Planning Resources, Policy, Practice, RTPI News 
Sections:
News & Media , The RTPI

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