Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Ninth Report - Draft revised National Policy Statement for National Networks
Transport Committee
HC 903
Published 20 October 2023
Recommendations
1
Accepted
Para 18
Review the National Networks National Policy Statement proactively following changes to net zero policies.
Recommendation
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. …
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Government Response Summary
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 review guidance.
Department for Transport
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2
Rejected
Introduce regular five-year review periods for the National Networks National Policy Statement.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Department for Transport
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4
Not Addressed
Para 28
Respond to Climate Change Committee's recommendation on reviewing the national roads programme.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 address the recommendation to respond to the Climate Change Committee regarding its recommendation on reviewing the roads programme.
Department for Transport
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6
Not Addressed
Amend draft NNNPS to define 'residual' greenhouse gas emissions and provide clear guidance.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
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7
Not Addressed
Amend draft NNNPS to state legal precedent for infrastructure schemes increasing emissions.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
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9
Not Addressed
Publish National Transport Model data and improve transparency in NSIP scheme alternative decision-making.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
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10
Rejected
Para 53
Amend draft NNNPS to include current Clause 5.29 equivalent for biodiversity protection.
Recommendation
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 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.
Department for Transport
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11
Deferred
Para 58
Address whether vital road freight facilities should be delivered as nationally significant infrastructure projects.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
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12
Accepted
Para 60
Amend draft NNNPS to clarify 'associated development' for NSIPs with examples.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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 to consider lorry parking needs (including at SRFIs).
Department for Transport
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13
Accepted in Part
Para 64
Amend draft NNNPS to strengthen adherence to cycling infrastructure design standards for applicants.
Recommendation
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 Summary
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 CD 195.
Department for Transport
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16
Deferred
Restructure transport National Policy Statements into an overarching framework with specific NPSs underneath.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 already underway.
Department for Transport
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Conclusions (5)
3
Conclusion
Rejected
Para 27
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 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.
5
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 31
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 Summary
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.
8
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Para 48
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 Summary
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 'predict and provide' approach.
14
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 70
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 Summary
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.
15
Conclusion
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 Summary
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 Act applications.