The document discusses the planning process for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) in England and Wales under the Planning Act 2008. It outlines the key elements of the process, including the designation of National Policy Statements that provide the strategic policy framework, the role of the Planning Inspectorate in examining applications, and the use of Development Consent Orders to authorize NSIPs. Thresholds are established for different types of infrastructure projects to determine if they qualify as NSIPs requiring a Development Consent Order rather than other consents. The process involves application to the Planning Inspectorate, examination by the inspectorate, a recommendation to the Secretary of State, and a final determination by the Secretary of State.

1. Infrastructure
Planning for Nationally Significant
Projects and Development Consent Orders

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3. 1
1. Introduction
The Planning Act 2008 sets out the regime for dealing with Nationally
Significant Infrastructure Projects.
Following lengthy planning inquires for such projects, in particular
the one for Terminal 5 at Heathrow, the Government is seeking to
substantially reduce the time taken to obtain consent to major projects
in the fields of energy, transport, water, waste and waste water.
Under the Planning Act 2008, the system is based around the
preparation of policy documents for England setting out the need case
for major infrastructure. The National Infrastructure Directorate at the
Planning Inspectorate make recommendations to the Secretary of State
who then determines the application.

4. 2
2. Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
The Planning Act 2008 introduced a new system for consenting major
infrastructure, known as nationally significant infrastructure projects
(NSIPs), in England and (where policy remains un-devolved) in Wales.
There are three main elements to the new procedures for NSIPs:
• The designation of National Policy Statements (NPSs), which set out
national policy for specified descriptions of development;
• The creation of the National Infrastructure Directorate (NID) which
is at the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) is the examining authority for
NSIPs; and
• The creation of Development Consent Orders (DCOs) to authorise
NSIPs, replacing the previous variety of consents required for NSIPs.

5. 3
The current publication status of the NPSs is set out in Table 3.1.
3. National Policy Statements
A series of National Policy Statements (NPSs) have been introduced in
order to provide a clear strategic policy framework for decision making
on nationally significant infrastructure. The guidance sets out the
principles behind the need for each type of NSIP.
The statements are subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, public consultation
and Appraisal of Sustainability (AoS) including, where appropriate,
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).
The Act specifies that National Policy Statements can include:
• The amount, type or size of the specified development appropriate
nationally or for a specified area;
• Criteria to be applied in deciding suitable locations;
• The relative weight to be given to specified criteria;
• The identification of ‘strategically suitable’ sites for location-specific
NPSs for aviation and nuclear power;
• The appropriate statutory undertaker to carry out specified
development; and
• Mitigation measures which should be applied to a specificied
development.
The majority of the NPSs are non-location specific. However, along with
the general principles, the nuclear NPS sets out the strategically acceptable
locations for these proposed types of national infrastructure. It is anticipated
that the airports NPS will also be location specific. The NPSs provide the
overall framework within which decisions on NSIPs are made.
National Policy Statements Designation Date
Anticipated
Designation
Overarching Energy 19th July 2011
Renewables 19th July 2011
Fossil Fuel 19th July 2011
Electricity Networks
(i.e. power lines etc)
19th July 2011
Oil and Gas Infrastructure
(e.g. pipelines and storage)
19th July 2011
Nuclear Power 19th July 2011
Ports 26th January 2012
National Networks (i.e. strategic
roads and railways, including
strategic rail freight interchanges)
17th December 2014
Airports TBC 2016
Waste Water
(e.g. sewage treatment)
9th February 2012
Water Supply (e.g. reservoirs) TBC
Hazardous Waste (e.g. high
temperature incineration)
6th June 2013
Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges 29th November 2011
Table 3.1 – Current NPS Status

6. Energy
Application to Conditions Thresholds
Generating station (E/W)
Construction or extension onshore More than 50MW
Construction or extension offshore (in territorial sea
or Renewable Energy Zone (REZ))
More than 100MW
Electric line (E/W) Installation above ground
New lines at least 132kv, outside premises in the occupation or control of the
installer, and greater than 2km in length.
Underground gas
storage (E/W)
Operations to create or alter facilities in cavities or
porous strata; or starting to use such facilities in England
At least 43m m³ capacity or a maximum flow rate of at least 4.5m m³ per day
Starting to use natural porous strata in Wales by a gas
transporter
Liquefied Natural Gas
(LNG) facility (E)
Construction or alteration for the reception of LNG from
outside England, its storage and re-gasification
At least 43m m³ storage capacity or a maximum flow rate of at least 4.5m m³
per day
Gas reception facility (E)
Construction or alteration where facility is in England and
the gas originates and arrives from outside Great Britain
A maximum flow rate of at least 4.5m m³ per day
Gas transporter
pipelines (E)
Construction of a pipeline by a gas transporter wholly or partly in England. Pipeline is more than 800mm in diameter. Diameter and
more than 40km in length or likely to have a significant effect on the environment. Must have a design operating pressure of more
than 7 bar gauge. Must convey gas to minimum of 50,000 customers.
4. DCO Thresholds
Thresholds have been set for a number of different types of NSIP. If the proposed development is above those thresholds then a DCO will be
required. The thresholds are set out in Table 4.1 below.
Sector: E = England W = Wales S = Scotland Note: Electricity generation for proposals >300MW have to demonstrate Carbon Capture Readiness
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7. 5
London Thames Tideway site investigation
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8. 6
Energy (continued)
Application to Conditions Thresholds
Other pipelines
(E/W/S)
The construction of a cross-country pipeline which would otherwise
require authorisation under s1(1) of the Pipelines Act 1962 with each
end in England or Wales or (if an oil or gas pipeline) with one end in
Scotland
None
Diversion of such a pipeline
Transport
Highway (E)
Construction or alteration of a highway for which the SoS will be
the highway authority, or of a highway constructed for a purpose
connected with SoS highway.
When development area for Motorways is greater than 15 hectares , for highways
with speed limit greater than 50mph where the development area is greater than
12.5 hectares, and for any other road where development area is greater than
7.5 hectares.
Highway (E)
Improvement of a highway in respect of which the SoS is the
highway authority.
Where there are likely to be significant environmental effects.
Airport (E)
Construction, alteration (of runway, a building, radar, radio mast,
antenna or other apparatus) or increase in permitted use.
At least 10m passengers per year; or 10,000 air cargo movements per year (or increase
by that number).
Harbour (E/W) Construction or alteration.
At least 500,000 TEU for container ships; 250,000 units for ro-ro ships, or 5m tonnes
for other cargo ships (all per year) or a proportionate combination of these.
Railway (E)
Construction or alteration on approved operator’s network but
excluding a railway forming part of a rail freight interchange.
Over and above permitted development rights and greater than 2km in length. Only
applies to Network Rail currently.
Rail freight
interchange (E)
Construction or alteration on land which forms part of (or is
expected to form part of) the railway network but excluding an
interchange forming part of a military establishment.
At least 60ha; including warehouses; at least four goods trains per day; and handling
consignments from multiple consignors and consignees.
Water
Dam or reservoir (E) Construction or alteration by water undertaker Exceeding 10m m³ water held back or stored (or increase by that number)
Transfer of water
resources (E)
Transfer by water undertakers between river basins; between
water undertakers’ areas; and between river basins and water
undertakers’ areas but excluding the transfer of drinking water
Exceeding 100m m³ water per year

9. 7
Application to Conditions Thresholds
Waste Water
Waste water
treatment plant (E)
Construction or alteration by water undertaker Exceeding 10m³ water held back or stored (or increase by that number)
Waste
Hazardous Waste
Facility (E)
Construction or alteration for final disposal or recovery
Disposal by landfill or in deep storage – more than 100,000 tonnes per year (or
increase by that number) Otherwise – more than 30,000 tonnes per year (or increase
by that number)
Any of the above
Any of the above,
falling below the
thresholds indicated
(E)
Where the SoS believes that the development, when considered
with one or more other projects or proposed projects, is of
‘national significance’. In the field of energy includes projects
within the REZ (except where Scottish ministers have functions)
Not applicable
Business and commercial projects of national significance
Business and commercial projects
Development can
be authorised via
a Development
Consent Order if the
Secretary of State
gives a direction to
that end
Business and commercial projects need to include one or more of
the following: Office use, Research and development of products or
processes, An industrial process or processes, Storage or distribution
of goods, Conferences, Exhibitions, Sport, Leisure and Tourism
If the Secretary of State thinks that the project is of national significance, either by
itself or when considered with one or more other projects or proposed projects in the
same field
Any other type of project which the Secretary of State may by Order designate
Any other type of
project which the
SoS may by order
designate (E)
In the fields of energy, transport, water, waste water or waste In
the field of energy includes projects within the REZ (except where
Scottish Ministers have functions)
Includes business and commercial projects of national significance.

10. 8
5. Application Process
The application process for development consent follows a series of
procedures as set out below and in the flowchart at Figure 5.1:
• Pre-inquiry meeting establishing whether the project meets
qualifying criteria and provides advice for the consultation and
information required for the application;
• At the pre-application stage developers are required to undertake
consultation with the relevant local authorities, local communities
and other stakeholders and to conduct environmental assessments,
if required by EIA regulations;
• Major applications examined by panel of Inspectors, where written
representations are considered and a decision reached;
• Hold a hearing (if requested by at least one interested party) to
consider oral representations;
• Hold a public open-floor hearing for interested parties (if requested
by at least one interested party) to make oral representations;
• The Examining Authority will decide how the hearing is conducted.
Hearings can be one of three types:
• On specific issues, if the examining authority considers a
hearing of this kind would assist the examination process.
More than one may potentially be held at the same time where
appropriate, when the Examining Authority is a panel;
• On compulsory acquisition matters, if one is requested by an
affected party (i.e. whose land or land interests are proposed
to be acquired) when responding to the notification by the
applicant about the accepted application and confirmed
through the procedural meeting; or
• Of an ‘open-floor’ format. Interested parties have a right to be
heard at an ‘open-floor’ hearing if they request one in response to
the applicant’s notice of acceptance of the application and this is
confirmed through the procedural meeting. This gives people the
opportunity to explain their views to the Examining Authority in
person, for example to emphasise or develop points made in writing.
• The Examining Authority can appoint a legal advocate to provide
advice, which may include the conducting of oral questioning at
hearings, but if questioning is allowed it should be done by an
Inspector, unless the Inspector thinks questioning by another person
is necessary and the Inspector can refuse to allow representations;
• Interested Parties can make written representations even if they
requested to make oral representations;
• Examinations of the application should be completed in 6 months.
A recommendation to the Secretary of State will be issued within
3 months. The Secretary of State has a further 3 months to make a
decision.
• The granting of “development consent” gives the necessary
authorisation for development without the requirement for
additional consent; and,
• Decisions on development consent are subject to judicial review,
however there is a 6 week limit on taking this action.

11. 9
Figure 5.1 – NISP Process Flowchart Source: CLG (2009)
‘Nationally
Significant
Infrastructure’
Proposed
Draft National
Policy Statement
Parliamentary
Scrutiny
Sustainability
Appraisal
Public
Consultation
Open-Floor
Hearing
Specific-Issue
Hearing
Local
Consultation National
Infrastructure
Directorate
Secretary
of State
Final National
Policy Statement
Figure 5.2 on the following page sets out the stages of determination
and the application process as a whole. It is worth noting that, once
the applicant has got a scheme in mind, statutory pre-application local
consultation can take 18 months or more. However, the principle of
the NSIP development should have been set out via the NPSs and
thus not subject to further discussion. This is considered to be the driver
for this change.
Difficulties in the determination of NSIPs (such as Heathrow
Terminal 5) have been exemplified by over-long public inquiries.
One factor causing this has been a lack of clarity over strategic issues
of national policy and need. The determination of NSIPs will not now
be subject to delay around discussion related to the principle of the
development; rather the determination should focus on the local effects
of the proposed development.

12. 10
Figure 5.2 – Process and Consultations Determination Matrix
Applicant to publicise
application
Examining
authority to host
meeting
Applicant takes
account of
responses to
consultation
Applicant publishes
proposed application
PINS to appoint
Inspector(s)
Legal challenge?
Examining authority
to decide to hold
hearing or by written
representation
Referral of
report to the
Secretary of State
Applicant carries out
statutory consultation
Applicant to give
notice of accepted
application and
notify of deadline for
responses
Examining authority
to inform interested
parties of when
examination complete
Secretary of State
publishes statement
to allow order or
refuse consent
Examining
authority to make
initial assessment of
issues
Applicant prepares
consultation statement,
agrees statement with
LA and publishes in
local paper
Applicant submitted
and NID reject / accept
application and
consider adequacy of
representations
Examining authority to
decide how to decide
application
Examining authority
under duty to consider
within 6 months
Secretary of State to
decide within 3 months
following examining
authority’s report
Pre-application
procedure
Application
submission
Examination of
application
Complete
examination Decision
Examining
authority to make
initial assessment of
issues
PINS complete
examination report

13. 11
Nuclear Power National
Policy Statements
Atkins provided advice and assistance to the Department
of Energy and Climate Change in respect of production
of National Policy Statement (NPS) to guide new
nuclear development, including designing the Site
Specific Assessment (SSA) framework against which
new nuclear sites will be assessed, providing technical
support and analysis of a public consultation process
on these criteria, and providing technical support to
the assessment of industry nominated nuclear sites by
Government and regulators. As the SSA for the NPS only
looked at nominated sites the Secretary of State needed
to conduct an independent screening exercise looking
at potential alternative sites throughout England and
Wales. Atkins was chosen to do this because of the very
broad range of skills required.
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14. 12
5 Consultation and Publicity
At the pre-application stage, first there is a duty on the promoter to
notify PINS about the proposed application and provide it with copies
of consultation material it intends to use. The promoter must also
consult on the proposed application with:
1. A range of specified bodies, as set out in the applications
regulations;
2. The local authorities affected which includes those in which the
proposal lies and adjoining ones; and
3. Any party with an interest in the land.
The deadline for responses to this consultation is at least 28 days from
receipt of consultation documents.
The promoter must also publicise the proposal as required by the
regulations, in the press and relevant journals.
Community Consultation
In addition, the promoter must consult the local community on the
basis of an agreed set of consultation proposals, to be explained in a
statement of community consultation (SOCC). In preparing the SOCC,
the promoter must consult with the local authority, or authorities,
within which the site of the development is located, to ensure that it is
drawn up with the benefit of their local knowledge of the area.
They will be sent details of the proposal and the promoter’s ideas for
community consultation and must respond with their views on the Figure 5.3 – Timescales – Previous versus DCO
Comparison of average time from application to decision
Pre Examination Phase Examination Phase Report Stage PINS Decision Stage Ministerial Decision
0 20 40 60
Weeks
80 90 120
Previous Regime
DCO Regime

15. 13
consultation proposals within 28 days. Having had regard to the local
authorities’ views, the promoter must finalise the SOCC and publish it in
the area. The promoter is under a duty to undertake this consultation
and to take account of relevant responses in finalising the application.
The “front loading” of the consultation process at the pre-application
stage is intended to reduce the time taken during the determination
period, thus the indicative time period to determine an application is
substantially reduced from the current average for determination of
applications for large infrastructure, as Figure 5.3 (left) demonstrates.
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16. 14
6. Development Consent Orders
When the Secretary of State decides an application for a NSIP, they will
either make what is known as an order granting development consent,
or refuse development consent. The order granting development
consent is an approval, introduced by the 2008 Act. Importantly, it can
include a range of separate consents that would previously have had
to be obtained under separate strands of legislation and from different
authorities, including for example, planning permission, authorisation
for compulsory acquisition and approvals under various parts of the
Pipelines, Gas, Energy and listed buildings acts. This single consent
regime is intended to simplify and speed-up the process of bringing
forward large infrastructure projects.
The DCO can take the place of (i.e. remove the need and ability to
apply for) a raft of consents including planning permission; listed
building consent; conservation area consent; scheduled monument
consent; pipeline authorisation under section 1(1) of the Pipelines Act
1962; authorisation under section 4(1) of the Gas Act 1965; notice under
section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976; and consents under sections 36
and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, in each case in respect of any project
which falls within the definition of an NSIP.
In addition, a DCO will take the place of the following in respect of an
NSIP: some Highways Act Orders, Harbour Revision Orders and Harbour
Empowerment Orders, Transport and Works Act Orders, and orders
under section 4(1) of the Gas Act 1965 where the relevant thresholds
are exceeded. In respect of certain other requirements (e.g. for consent
under section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949 or for a licence under
Part 2 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985), a DCO can
deem the grant of consents and licences.
As a general principle, the Act requires the Secretary of State to decide
an application in accordance with the relevant NPS except in certain
circumstances, namely:
• Breach of international obligations;
• Breach of any duty imposed on the PINS by any law;
• Contravention of a law;
• The decision-maker being satisfied that the adverse affects of the
proposal would outweigh its benefits.
The Act requires the examination of the application to be completed
within six months of the procedural meeting and the Examining
Authority, has three months from the end of the examination to
provide its report and recommendation to the Secretary of State, who
then has a further three months to make the decision. However, the
time periods for the examining authority examining and reporting on
an application can be extended, but the reasons for doing so must be
explained to the Secretary of State.

17. 15
The application fees for NSIPs are substantial, with typical fees ranging
from £96,000 to around £400,000, the final amount payable dependent
on the number of Inspectors involved in the decision making. The
Government has justified the higher fees on the basis that the DCO
regime offers advantages such as more certainty over the duration of
the application stage, a shorter and more efficient examination stage,
and quicker decisions.
Changes to DCOs
Changes to schemes authorised by Development Consent Orders are
possible. Changes within the scope of the DCO are by far the quickest
and simplest method of seeking approval for a change to the scheme.
These types of changes will be limited in scope but the first port of
call for the designer to consider. Following the granting of the DCO
a list of Requirements (conditions) will be available alongside an
obligations document (S106 Agreement). Careful crafting will ensure
these requirements leave some flexibility in the scheme. For example,
a requirement that seeks the external appearance of a building or a
structure to be submitted to and approved by a local authority should
mean amendments could be made as designs progresses to cladding
materials; location of plant and machinery; location and design of
lighting and other street furniture; and positioning of windows
and doors. Other carefully crafted requirements could allow for
amendments to access arrangements, hours of working or noise levels.
All these are on the assumption that flexibility within the ES and DCO
has been built in.
For more substantive changes, the extent of the changes has to be
considered against the level of flexibility the limits of the development
consent order allowed, and the extent of the Environmental Impact
Assessment which accompanied the application for the DCO. The
changes which can be made fall into two categories – “non-material”
and “material”. A change is likely to be a material change if it has
increased or additional environmental effects requiring an updated
environmental statement, if it involves the compulsory purchase of
additional land, or affects an ecological Special Protection Area or a
Special Area of Conservation protected ecological site. The boundary
between a material change and making a new application is not
defined but a new application would be needed if the scheme is
essentially different to what was approved.

18. 16

19. 17
Our DCO project experience

20. 18
A14 Cambridge to
Huntingdon bypass
Atkins was instructed to advise the Highways
Agency on the programme and requirements for a
Development Consent Order (DCO) for this stretch of
high profile trunk road. Our role involved preparing
the initial planning and environmental assessments
and coordinating informal consultation. We were
responsible for the programme for the proposed
DCO, coordinating input into a complex programme
requiring inputs from highway engineer, transport
engineers, environmental and tolling experts,
including ensuring that the Highway Agency’s internal
procedures dovetailed with the DCO requirements.
Atkins is also undertaking the detailed design of the
A14 scheme. We are advising the design teams of
the DCO requirements, and the limits placed on the
project by the DCO. We are also providing advice
and guidance as to the extent to which changes to
the design could be undertaken, and the likelihood
of the design changes being deemed non-material or
material amendments.
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21. 19
Hinkley Point C Nuclear New Build
To assist EDF Energy in securing a Development Consent Order for
a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point we managed the
delivery of the technical information required for submission to the
Infrastructure Planning Commission (now the Planning Inspectorate).
We also managed the Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) set
up with the local authorities to programme and finance the
consents process.
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22. 20
East Thurrock Connection
We were commissioned by National Grid to provide
planning and environmental services for the East
Thurrock Connection Project. National Grid were
promoting a new substation to facilitate the
connection of a combined cycle gas turbine plant to
the existing transmission system.
The commission initially involved undertaking a
Substation Siting and Routeing Study to define
possible substation locations and subsequent
alignments for connections to the existing 400kV
OHL, taking environmental constraints into account.
A Scoping Report was undertaken in accordance
with The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental
Impact Assessment) Regulations, 2009 (the EIA
Regulations) and an EIA was prepared to support the
Development Consent Order (DCO) application to be
submitted by National Grid.
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23. 21
Humber Renewables Project
DONG Energy was seeking to develop a biomass-fired power plant of approximately 299 MW generation rated capacity at a site in Hull Docks.
The plant was to be sufficient to generate enough electricity to meet the average needs of up to half a million homes and would help the UK to meet its target of
generating 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. We were commissioned to produce the Environmental Scoping Report and then the Environmental
Statement presenting the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the power plant, undertaken within the framework of the Infrastructure
Planning (EIA) Regulations 2009. This was part of the submission for a Development Consent Order.
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24. 22
London Thames
Tideway Tunnel
We provided a range of planning and environmental
services to support Thames Water in securing a
Development Consent Order (DCO) for the Tideway
Tunnel. Once implemented the Tunnel will upgrade
the sewerage system and substantially reduce
the volume and frequency of discharges of storm
sewage to the tidal River Thames. We managed the
central London section town planning work and
contributed to preparation of documents for the
largest ever DCO submission.
We also provided expert witness support for
the hearings, including in respect of heritage
aspects and for open space re-provision. Atkins is
continuing to provide consent and environmental
support for various aspects of the project as it moves
into its implementation phase.
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25. 23
Norton Bridge
As an equal member of the Staffordshire Alliance,
the UK’s first pure Alliance comprising Atkins,
Laing O’Rouke, Network Rail and VolkerRail,
Atkins have been involved in taking the project
through the DCO process. The project is currently
in construction and when complete will comprise
6.8 kilometres of new railways, including new
cuttings and embankments, the construction or
widening of bridges and diversions of watercourses
and highways. The Alliance was formed after
submission of the DCO application, but has taken
the project through the examination process,
responding to and working with consultees to
draft the DCO statements of common ground. This
has included a landscaping design brief and habitat
loss and integration plans, which have been
conditionally written into the DCO, along with
a number of other environmental management
plans. Atkins environmental specialists and
coordinators also attended and represented
the Alliance at examination and continue to be
involved in the project through the construction
phase, liaising with statutory consultees and
ensuring the project is delivered in line with the
DCO requirements.
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26. 24
Redditch Branch
Enhancements
We provided a collaborative team of designers
and environmental specialists to support Network
Rail in securing a Development Consent Order for
the Redditch Branch Enhancements project. The
project resulted in a new 3km passing loop between
Alvechurch and Redditch, enabling an extension
of the Cross City services between Longbridge and
Redditch from two to three trains an hour.
The project achieved CEEQUAL Excellent status.
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27. 25
Silvertown Tunnel
The proposed Silvertown Tunnel is a new twin-bore,
dual carriageway road tunnel beneath the River
Thames, promoted by Transport for London and
linking the A102 on the Greenwich Peninsula to the
Tidal Basin Roundabout in the Royal Docks area. The
proposed crossing has two separate tunnels, each
carrying two traffic lanes. One lane in each tunnel
would be reserved for buses, coaches and Heavy
Goods Vehicles (HGVs). The new tunnel would be
accessible to the tall HGVs and double deck buses
which are currently unable to use the northbound
bore of the Blackwall Tunnel. Atkins are the
engineering consultant responsible for developing
the Reference Design, consultation material
(including visualisations and drive through video)
and providing technical support through the DCO
process. Atkins have also provided high level advice
on the requirements for a DCO application including
sharing lessons learnt from past experience on other
similar schemes.
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28. 26
Paramount
Entertainment Resort
London Paramount will be the first of its kind in
the UK. The entertainment resort will include a
world-class theme park, a 1,500-seat theatre, indoor
event space, 5,000 on-site hotel bedrooms, one of
the largest indoor water parks in Europe, creative
business space to provide a central hub for the UK
creative industry, transport improvements including
a new dual carriageway access road between the
A2 and the entertainment Resort, a green network
to include areas of environmental enhancement
and wildlife habitat creation beside the River
Thames, connectivity improvements including public
footpaths and cycle routes along the River Thames
and enhancements to the existing jetty on the river
to facilitate access by boat. To support this key
commercial development DCO, Atkins has provided
services including geotechnical, land contamination
and groundwater assessment, stakeholder
engagement, concept infrastructure design, and
support from specialists for the DCO.
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29. 27
Meaford Energy Centre
On behalf of Meaford Energy Limited, a joint
venture between Glenfinnan and St. Modwen,
Atkins is the lead environmental and design
consultant taking a 299MWe CCGT power station
and integral gas and electric connections in
Staffordshire through the DCO process. The DCO
application including the Environmental Statement,
was accepted by PINS in April 2015 and Atkins played
a lead role in taking the project through the pre-
examination and examination stages. The DCO
application contained ancillary proposals which
include a new gas supply pipeline across an existing
bridge across the Trent and Mersey Canal.
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30. How can Atkins help?
The DCO regime for development of major infrastructure projects
now applies to many major infrastructure projects, with the definition
of NSIPs encompassing all types of energy development, transport
infrastructure, including roads, railways, aviation and ports, water
supply and waste, and extending to include major business and
commercial developments. These are all major infrastructure sectors
that Atkins has extensive experience in.
Atkins is at the forefront of the DCO regime for NSIPs, having helped a
government department to draft one of the National Policy Statements
(NPSs) and undertaking supporting studies, and having been involved in
more than 10 DCO projects so far.
Atkins can demonstrate an excellent understanding of the implications
of the DCO planning regime NSIPs on a wide range of new projects. As
well as the traditional town planning, consenting and environmental
assessment capability Atkins can assist developers with the “front
loading” of the consultation work, providing information to local
communities, planning authorities and other bodies.
Atkins can offer an opportunity to build on existing experience working
with local communities and central government to provide developers
and promoters with our services to successfully communicate the
impacts and implications of large schemes to local communities.
Atkins can also assist and support local authorities and statutory
consultees understand the implications of the proposals and how they
might influence the decision making process.
Atkins can offer a variety of consultancy services related to NSIPs,
including town planning, design, project management and
environmental assessment, all key component in preparing a DCO
application for submission.
For more information please contact:
Jon Barker
020 7121 2363
jon.barker@atkinsglobal.com
Andrew Jones
01454 662963
andrew.jones@atkinsglobal.com
28

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32. Paul White
Director, Environmental Planning
Euston Tower, 286 Euston Road,
London NW1 3AT
Telephone +44 (0) 20 7121 2144
Mobile +44 (0) 7710 09 0435
Fax +44 (0) 20 7121 2806
Email paul.white@atkinsglobal.com
www.atkinsglobal.com
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