26 September 2024
This week, we submitted our response to the UK Government’s consultation on the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Cubico fully supports the Government’s ambition to become a “Clean Power Superpower” by 2030 and welcomes the proposed revisions. However, we believe that further reforms are needed to create a planning system that enables timely, consistent, and efficient decision-making for developers, investors, and policymakers.
We are pleased to have contributed to the NPPF consultation and have identified five key considerations that we believe are essential for accelerating the deployment of renewable energy in the UK.
Cubico fully supports the UK government’s ambition to become a “Clean Power Superpower” by 2030 and welcomes the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). However, we believe that additional reforms are necessary to establish a planning system that facilitates timely, consistent, and efficient decision-making for developers, investors, and policymakers alike.
Below is a summary of the key considerations which we believe are essential for accelerating the deployment of renewable energy in the UK:
- Strengthening NPPF and Aligning with National Policy Statements (NPS): The NPPF should be further strengthened to give “substantial weight” to renewables and aligned with NPS by recognising renewable energy projects as Critical National Priorities (CNPs). Clear guidance on prioritising renewable energy and evaluating local impacts consistently will support more unified decision-making.
- Reform the NSIP Process and Introduce a Mid-Tier Consenting Route: Reforms to the NSIP process are needed to address cost and timeline disparities with the TCPA process. A mid-tier consenting route, similar to Scotland’s Section 36, would streamline decision-making and reduce costs.
- Establish a Technology-Agnostic 100MW Threshold: A unified 100MW threshold for both onshore wind and solar will ensure a fair and consistent approach. Clearer guidance on opting into the NSIP process for projects under 100MW would provide developers with more flexibility.
- Emphasise Local Economic Benefits: Local planning authorities (LPAs) should place greater emphasis on the local economic benefits of renewable energy projects, such as job creation and investment. The Government should also consider allowing Community Benefit Funds (CBFs) to considered as material factors in planning decisions.
- Provide Grandfathering Provisions for Projects in Progress: An 18-month transition period is crucial to protect ongoing projects from disruption due to threshold changes to the NSIP regime, maintaining investor confidence.
We urge the Government to consider these recommendations in support of the UK’s clean energy goals. You can read our full consultation response by downloading the report linked below.
