I was pleased to submit my response to the Government’s consultation on improvements to the approvals process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). The proposals set out will speed up the consent process for NSIPs to ensure that these projects are made a reality more quickly, bringing benefits to communities throughout the country.
Throughout my time as MP for Runnymede and Weybridge, I have consistently advocated for changes to our national planning laws to make them fairer, greener, and more community focused and I believe that the reforms proposed in the consultation will help to achieve this. I’m very much aware of the challenges facing significant infrastructure projects under the current consent process through my involvement with our own local large-scale and complex infrastructure project, the River Thames Scheme (RTS).
This scheme is vital to many residents of Runnymede and Weybridge who will benefit from the flood alleviation this scheme will ultimately provide. Yet despite the hard work of project leaders at Surrey County Council and the Environment Agency, the current process means that this scheme cannot progress as quickly as I and so many of my constituents would like. While the reforms envisaged by the Government’s consultation will not affect the timescales of the RTS, which is already well underway, the lessons we are learning can and should help shape the Government proposals for other NSIPs, to ensure that schemes of comparable complexity and value to the RTS can be realised more efficiently for the communities that stand to benefit from them.
However, while speed is important, I have also emphasised the importance and benefit of proper public engagement. I am pleased by the clear consideration of the important role of communities within the Government’s proposals. These envisage applicants, local authorities and the Planning Inspectorate working together to assess the adequacy of consultation arrangements as early in the pre-application process as possible.
You can view my full response below.
