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National Networks National Policy Statement

Status: Closed Opened: 24 Mar 2023 Closed: 11 Mar 2024 11 recommendations 5 conclusions 1 report

The Transport Committee is carrying out an inquiry into the draft revised National Networks National Policy Statement (NNNPS) . The NNNPS is the Government’s statement of strategic planning policy for major road and rail schemes. It provides guidance to applicants in preparing, and the Secretary of State in determining, applications for Development Consent Orders for … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Ninth Report - Draft revised National Policy Statement for … HC 903 20 Oct 2023 16 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
2 Recommendation Ninth Report - Draft revised National P… Rejected

Introduce regular five-year review periods for the National Networks National Policy Statement.

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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
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.
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Department for Transport
3 Conclusion Ninth Report - Draft revised National P… Rejected

Draft NNNPS requires stronger greenhouse gas emission measures for net zero alignment.

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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
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.
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Department for Transport
10 Recommendation Ninth Report - Draft revised National P… Rejected

Amend draft NNNPS to include current Clause 5.29 equivalent for biodiversity protection.

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 AI summary
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.
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Department for Transport

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions
Date Witnesses
19 Jul 2023 Dan Moore · Department for Transport, David Buttery · Department for Transport, Julian Worth · Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Martin Tugwell · Transport for the North, Richard Holden MP · Department for Transport, Steve Gooding · RAC Foundation View ↗
28 Jun 2023 Colin Black · AECOM, Mr Keith Buchan · Transport Planning Society, Mr Mustafa Latif-Aramesh · BDB Pitmans, Ms Rosie Allen · Green Alliance, Professor Phil Goodwin · University College London (UCL), Ralph Smyth · Transport Action Network, Robbie Owen · The National Infrastructure Planning Association View ↗

Who gave evidence

13 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Colin Black · Head of Growth and Future Mobility AECOM 1
Dan Moore · Rail Strategy and Rail Analysis Director Department for Transport 1
David Buttery · Roads Strategy Director Department for Transport 1
Julian Worth · Chair of Rail Freight Forum Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport 1
Martin Tugwell · Chief Executive Transport for the North 1
Mr Keith Buchan · Skills Director and former Chair Transport Planning Society 1
Mr Mustafa Latif-Aramesh · Legal Director BDB Pitmans 1
Ms Rosie Allen · Policy Adviser Green Alliance 1
Professor Phil Goodwin · Emeritus Professor of Transport Policy University College London (UCL) 1
Ralph Smyth · Consultant Transport Action Network 1
Richard Holden MP · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department for Transport 1
Robbie Owen · Board Secretary and Director The National Infrastructure Planning Association 1
Steve Gooding · Director RAC Foundation 1

Correspondence

3 letters
DateDirectionTitle
17 Apr 2024 — Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for …
13 Mar 2024 — Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for …
6 Sep 2023 — Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for …