What is an NSIP?
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects are large scale projects falling into five categories (Energy; Transport; Water; Waste Water and Waste). Examples include power stations; railways and major roads; reservoirs; harbours; airports; offshore wind farms and sewage treatment works - in other words, the kinds of large scale facilities that support the everyday life of the country.
Solar projects above 50MW in the UK are defined as NSIPs and therefore go through a more rigorous and lengthy approval process than a local planning application, with different decision makers.
The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) is the agency responsible for operating the planning process for NSIPs.
2025 - January - Planning Reform Working Paper: Streamlining Infrastructure Planning - here
2024 - October - Live UK NSIPS - here
2024 - November - Planning Inspectorate Webinar - How to present at an Inquiry - here
How do I object to a proposal?
To object to a solar development submitted as a local planning application (under 50MW), contact the Planning Department of your local authority and quote the planning application number. The local authority will request comments are submitted within twenty one days. It is generally best to make your objections known as soon as possible.
To object to a solar development submitted as an NSIP (50MW or over), first put forward your objections to the developer during the statutory consultation phase, which must happen before they put forward their application. It is important to take this opportunity to give constructive feedback before plans are finalised.
Once the Planning Inspectorate is notified by a potential applicant of a proposed project, it will be added to the published Register of applications. During the pre-examination stage you will be able to register as an interested party via the Planning Inspectorate in order to give your views.
For more information read the transcript here. Whatever size application you are objecting to, it is important to keep your feedback objective and factual. Avoid personal opinion based purely on emotion in order to keep it constructive.
Role of a Local Authority in a NSIP Application
Petition
Introduce new restrictions on solar facilities to protect land and food security
Prohibit 'mega solar facilities' over 50MW on UK farmland; establish solar development preference hierarchies and regional density caps to help protect our natural landscapes, ensure food security, and conserve biodiversity.
Government policy must align net zero aims with food security and regional integrity. Establishing formal priorities for solar development on brownfields, rooftops, and lower-grade land, plus regional solar density caps, could help ensure energy targets are met without compromising rural landscapes or broader security interests.