Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) commences work
On the 1 March 2010 the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) will now determine applications for "Major Infrastructure Projects" for major energy projects - such as wind farms, power stations and transport projects such as major roads and rail.
The IPC was brought into existence by the Planning Act 2008 and will now be responsible for considering and making decisions on significant infrastructure planning applications. As a non-departmental public body, the IPC will operate within the policy framework prescribed in the Planning Act secondary legislation and the National Policy Statements.
Planning Minister John Healey said:"If we are to be competitive in the global economy and have a good quality of life, it is clear we need a better system for planning and building the infrastructure the country needs. The IPC will be a faster and fairer system that is important for delivering these improvements, and with up to £50bn worth of investment in the pipeline, is vital to help drive economic growth and recovery. It will also help meet our targets towards becoming a low carbon country, with a new generation of investments essential to the future of the country.
"The growing list of potential projects show businesses and international investors want to do business with the IPC and have confidence in the new planning system."
Sir Michael Pitt, IPC Chair, said:
"The IPC is ready to start delivering its core business and we are delighted to have received the green light from the Minister today. The next few months will see the IPC considering matters of significant national importance for communities in England and Wales. We will deliver a faster, more cost-efficient system for deciding applications, and we will achieve this based upon core principles of fairness and accountability."
"The IPC will ensure there are meaningful opportunities for all who are affected by proposals to have their views heard. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have sought and acted upon the views of local people in developing their proposals. And in each case, the public will also have the opportunity to be heard by the IPC as part of the examination process."
For further information about the IPC, please click here and see our bulletin or contact Richard Atkinson.
If you want to see the major infrastructure projects that the IPC is to determine as at 3 March 2010 please click here.
