The Housing Minister and Secretary of State announced last week that Lord Banner KC is to lead a Government review into the planning and delivery of national infrastructure projects.
The review will explore the legal challenges made to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), whether they are unduly held up and, if so, why and how the problem(s) might best be resolved. Successful and unsuccessful challenges can set major projects (such as roads, offshore windfarms and waste water management facilities) back by years. As part of the review, Charlie will produce a written report containing recommendations based research and engagement with key stakeholders.
Charlie said: “I am looking forward to analysing the information available, as well as the feedback from key stakeholders, to ascertain whether, within the terms of reference, there is a case for improving the process for legal challenges of NSIPs in a way that would reduce any identified impacts of inappropriate legal challenges whilst maintaining constitutional principles and relevant international obligations.”
The announcement can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lord-banner-kc-to-lead-review-on-national-infrastructure