The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published a consultation on proposals to exempt energy storage projects from the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime in England and Wales.
If progressed such projects would be consented by the relevant local planning authority (under the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act), rather than the Secretary of State (under the 2008 Planning Act DCO process).
Whilst there are good reasons for a change, not least for reducing the up-front costs at application stage, placing large scale infrastructure consenting within the remit of local authorities (and local politics) may also create conflicting policy priorities, project delays and planning appeals.
Watch this space!
