What the new National Infrastructure Planning Guidance means for major projects

Key Changes for Communications & Engagement

The guidance confirms fundamental changes to public consultation and stakeholder engagement on major projects – a key milestone for anyone involved inconsenting and delivery of nationally significant energy, transport and development-related infrastructure projects.

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The end of pre-application statutory consultation has been confirmed.

Avoiding the need to navigate a more prescriptive, box-ticking pre-application processrepresents a genuine win and the government estimates the reform could speed up decisions by 12 months on average.

But of course removing the legal duty to consult doesn't remove the need to engage. The government has been explicit that it still expects "high-qualityearly, meaningful and constructive engagement”, and the guidance reinforcesthe value of these activities in building trust, resolving issues and connecting with local communities.

With this new best-practice guidance setting the tone, developers now have discretion over scope and format and a real opportunity to ensure this delivers more proportionate and effective engagement for projects.

Broader Changes

One of the most visible changes is structural. The old guidance on preparing an application is being split into three separate documents: the steps to take before submission, the contents the application itself needs to include and the detail required in a draft Development Consent Order. Splitting theguidance this way should make it easier for applicants to find the specific advice they need at each stage, rather than working through one lengthy document covering the whole pre-application journey.

There is also genuinely new material and a dedicated guidance document now covers the decision-making stage of an application, an area that previously had no stand alone guidance of its own. Alongside it sits new guidance on the Secretary of State's power to direct a project into or out of the NSIP regime.

Fees are changing too. Updated guidance on cost recovery by the Planning Inspectorate and public authorities reflects the provisions of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and will sit alongside existing rules on awards of costs and compulsory acquisition, both of which remain in force with review dates set for 2026 and 2027.

None of this guidance operates in isolation from what is already in motion. Where an application is partway through the process when the new guidance takes effect, transitional arrangements set out in each section determine which rules apply.

What this all points to is a planning system that is accommodating significant change across multiple, interrelated areas - whilst simultaneously accelerating to meet challenging targets.

This environment represents a major opportunity for industry, local and national government to embrace the new guidance and continue the positive collaboration achieved to date on a large number of major projects.

Where next for communications and engagement on major infrastructure?

Luminate has spent years advising promoters and applicants through the NSIP process, pairing a clear understanding of how the system works with the communications and stakeholder expertise needed to effectively engage.

As this guidance beds in, we’ll be helping clients navigate the new environmentand continue momentum towards achieving consent.

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