Recommendations & Conclusions
16 items
1
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Accepted
The review of the NNNPS was overdue. It was launched to bring the policy framework for major infrastructure schemes up to date, and as a response to legal challenges to schemes prompted by the introduction of significant net zero legislation. The Government should have been proactive and reviewed the NNNPS …
Government response. The government commits to reviewing National Policy Statements (NPSs) at least every five years, reflecting this commitment in the revised NNNPS text. They will also commission an external review of the NPS review and designation process and consider updating NPS …
Department for Transport
2
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Rejected
The Government should introduce five-year review periods for the NNNPS, with a shorter term where changes in policy decisions or policy drivers warrant it. This does not necessarily mean that wholesale revisions should be made to the NNNPS every five years, but the reviews would provide an opportunity for the …
Government response. The government rejects the recommendation for five-year review periods, stating it does not anticipate the need for further review of the NNNPS given actions already taken to decarbonise transport and its response to the Climate Change Committee.
Department for Transport
3
Conclusion
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Rejected
The draft revised NNNPS attempts to balance the Government’s 2050 net zero targets with an NSIP regime which could potentially increase greenhouse gas emissions. While the document provides guidance on assessing, mitigating, and approving the greenhouse gas emissions of schemes, these measures could be stronger to align with the pathway …
Government response. The government rejects the implied recommendation to strengthen measures, stating it is not possible to provide a clear definition of acceptable residual emissions and that ministers determine this on a case-by-case basis.
Department for Transport
4
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Not Addressed
The Government should respond to the Climate Change Committee’s recommendation on reviewing the roads programme and explain why this recommendation will or will not be taken forward. The Climate Change Committee’s recommendations do not relate directly to the NNNPS, but acceptance of them would change the policy environment in which …
Government response. The government's response explains how residual carbon emissions are managed within the overall strategy for meeting carbon budgets and states that text regarding refusal of consent for significant emissions has been reinstated in the NNNPS, but it does not directly …
Department for Transport
5
Conclusion
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Not Addressed
The draft NNNPS permits “residual” greenhouse gas emissions from NSIPs, but does not define what “residual” means, nor does it set out a threshold or limits for a level of emissions that would be deemed “residual”. Accordingly, schemes which are likely to cause an increase in carbon emissions may remain …
Government response. The government discusses the robustness and transparency of decision-making processes and the National Transport Model, but does not address the committee's concern about defining 'residual' greenhouse gas emissions or setting specific thresholds for them.
Department for Transport
6
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Not Addressed
The draft revised NNNPS should be amended to provide a definition of, and clear and comprehensive guidance on, “residual” greenhouse gas emissions. This definition must make it possible to distinguish clearly between “residual” and unacceptable increases in emissions from an NSIP. (Paragraph 32) 26 Draft revised National Policy Statement for …
Government response. The government discusses commitments to protect biodiversity and geological interests and the reinstatement of a paragraph concerning mitigation of harmful aspects of development, but does not address the specific recommendation to define 'residual' greenhouse gas emissions.
Department for Transport
7
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Not Addressed
The draft revised NNNPS should be amended to explicitly state the Government’s understanding of the legal precedent for permitting major infrastructure schemes which result in an increase in emissions, where that increase is judged as not likely to harm the achievement of a national target. (Paragraph 35) Confidence and transparency
Government response. The government's response discusses its Future of Freight plan and a call for evidence on freight and the planning system, but does not address the recommendation to amend the NNNPS regarding legal precedent for schemes that increase emissions.
Department for Transport
8
Conclusion
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Not Addressed
There is concern from some interested parties that the National Transport Model, which underpins the Statement of Need, does not consider a wide enough range of traffic demand scenarios and that the National Transport Model and congestion forecasts are not published in ways that permit thorough scrutiny of their assumptions. …
Government response. The government's response discusses guidance on associated development and lorry parking, along with its analysis of responses to a call for evidence on freight, but does not address the concerns raised about the National Transport Model, options appraisal, or the …
Department for Transport
9
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Not Addressed
The Department for Transport must do more to provide transparency on its approach to assessment and decision making. Specifically, it should: • publish the National Transport Model so that it can be independently tested and verified, or model and report on a wider range of scenarios where traffic levels on …
Government response. The government's response focuses entirely on active travel guidance and protections for non-motorised users in the revised NNNPS, without addressing the specific recommendations for increased transparency, publishing data, or explaining decision-making processes.
Department for Transport
10
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Rejected
The draft revised NNNPS should be amended to include an equivalent to Clause 5.29 of the current NNNPS. If the Government declines, it must explain why, and how this is compatible with Government policy on promoting biodiversity.
Government response. The government rejects the recommendation to include an equivalent to Clause 5.29, stating that paragraph 1.9 of the revised NNNPS already provides sufficient clarity and flexibility for different consenting regimes, making a 'one size fits all' approach disproportionate.
Department for Transport
11
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Deferred
In its response to its call for evidence on freight, logistics and the planning system, the Department for Transport should address whether some types associated development which are vital to the road freight supply chain, such as driver rest facilities or service areas, would be more effectively delivered if considered …
Government response. The government states it has committed to a future review of National Policy Statements (NPSs), particularly considering modular NPSs, which 'may shape the future of transport NPSs', thus deferring a specific response to the committee's question about associated freight infrastructure.
Department for Transport
12
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Accepted
The Government should amend the draft revised NNNPS to clarify, by way of providing a list of examples, what would normally be deemed to be ‘associated development’ for schemes which meet the threshold for nationally significant infrastructure.
Government response. The government refers to existing guidance from DLUHC on associated development and believes it provides sufficient illustrative examples, and notes the draft revised NNNPS included new text recognizing the strategic importance of providing appropriate lorry parking facilities and requires applicants …
Department for Transport
13
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Accepted in Part
The draft revised NNNPS should be amended to include a stronger requirement for scheme applicants to adhere to the cycling infrastructure design standards set out in CD 195.
Government response. The government acknowledges the need for clarity and has added text to the revised NNNPS at paragraph 5.271, requiring applicants to consider local plans, but continues to direct applicants to Local Transport Note 1/20 as the primary guidance, instead of …
Department for Transport
14
Conclusion
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Accepted
The NNNPS could be a helpful document when making decisions on transport schemes which are not classed as nationally significant but are still large scale or regionally important. These schemes are currently consented through the Transport and Works Act and receive a less rigorous level of scrutiny.
Government response. The Department for Transport considers that existing guidance in the revised NNNPS provides sufficient clarity regarding its status in other consenting regimes and that a one size fits all approach would be disproportionate for Transport and Works Act applications.
Department for Transport
15
Conclusion
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Accepted
The draft revised NNNPS should be amended to include provision which makes it clear how the NNNPS could be a relevant policy consideration for non-NSIP schemes which are currently consented under the Transport and Works Act. (Paragraph 71) Restructuring the National Policy Statements for transport
Government response. The Department for Transport considers that paragraph 1.9 of the revised NNNPS provides sufficient clarity regarding the status of the NNNPS in other consenting regimes, and that a one size fits all approach would be disproportionate for Transport and Works …
Department for Transport
16
Recommendation
Ninth Report - Draft revised National P…
Deferred
The Government should consider the merits of restructuring future iterations of the National Policy Statements for transport so that there is an over-arching Transport NPS, with Road, Rail, Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges, Ports, and Airport NPSs sitting underneath it, and provide a clear rationale if it opts not to do …
Government response. The government has committed to undertaking a further review of NPSs and in particular whether there is a role for modular NPSs, which may shape the future of transport NPSs; the government's immediate focus remains on completing current NPS reviews …
Department for Transport