Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)

Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) are large-scale developments considered strategically important to the country, such as power stations, wind farms, major roads, railways, airports, reservoirs, and waste or water treatment facilities.

Because of their national importance, these projects are decided at a national level rather than by local planning authorities.

Most NSIPs require a Development Consent Order (DCO), which is a type of approval granted by the government. The Planning Inspectorate examines applications and makes a recommendation, but the final decision is made by the relevant Secretary of State. The process typically takes around 17 months and follows six key stages, from pre-application through to decision.

Recent reforms aim to improve the efficiency of the system, including a new Fast Track process for high-quality applications.

You can find out more about NSIPs on these webpages:

• Welcome to Find a National Infrastructure Project
• Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and the people and organisations involved in the process - GOV.UK
• Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects - Local Government Association

Here are the NSIPs that are relevant to the Broads (updated June 2026):

• Suffolk Water Recycling, Transfer and Storage – Essex and Suffolk Water

Charging for NSIP engagement

From 8 June 2026, local authorities will have powers to charge fees for the provision of services in relation to nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

This Fee Charging Schedule Notice (PDF) sets out the services in respect of which the Broads Authority charges fees and includes information on how we calculate our fees.