Nationally significant infrastructure projects

Page contents

• About Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
• NSIP cost recovery
• Current NSIPs in the Surrey area
  • Southampton to London Pipeline
  • M25 J10/A3 Interchange
  • Gatwick Northern Runway project
  • River Thames Scheme

About Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs)

Some planning applications are of national significance and are examined under the Development Consent Order (DCO) process by the Planning Inspectorate, rather than by the relevant planning authority. NSIP applications are consented by the relevant Secretary of State.

A DCO can incorporate a range of consents that normally have to be obtained separately and include powers for the compulsory acquisition of land.

As a host authority, the County Council is a statutory consultee in the DCO process for projects located in Surrey. The council therefore has an important role to play in Pre-application, Acceptance, Pre-examination, Examination and Post Decision stages.

NSIPs are large scale projects generally falling into five categories (energy, transport, water, waste water and waste). As such they can include a diverse range of schemes. Within Surrey, the Southampton to London Pipeline, the M25 Junction 10/A3 interchange and Gatwick Northern Runway NSIPs have all been granted permission.

Further information on NSIPs is available on the National Infrastructure pages of the Planning Inspectorate website

NSIP cost recovery

The government has introduced secondary legislation to bring in mandatory cost recovery for local authorities in relation to DCO work through the Infrastructure Planning (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, which came into force on 8 June 2026.

These regulations enable local authorities to charge for services in relation to NSIP applications, across all stages of the DCO process. These charges are on a cost recovery basis and must not exceed the reasonable cost of providing the relevant services.

‘Relevant services’ means any advice, information or other assistance (including a response to a consultation) provided in connection with an application or proposed application for a DCO.

This guidance seeks to detail the relevant services provided by Surrey County Council (SCC) and to outline the method by which fees are calculated. It has been informed by the council’s previous experience of dealing with NSIPs.

More information can be found on the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government website.

Our approach to recovering costs for DCOs

Under these new powers, SCC intends to recover all costs for each stage of the DCO process, namely pre-application, pre-examination, examination, post-decision and implementation.

Areas of work will include:

• Staff advisory time through meetings, correspondence or responding to consultations
• Document review
• Legal services
• Discharging of conditions/requirements

We recommend early engagement between potential applicants and the council to discuss the likely scope of our involvement. Our preference is that a Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) is agreed between the applicant and the council, however, please note that charges will apply with or without a PPA.

There are clear advantages to both parties in agreeing a PPA. Scheme promoters are expected to engage with local authorities throughout the NSIP process. A fair PPA will provide resourcing to enable councils to engage in a timely manner to the process and should provide greater assurances around the quality of engagement.

Local authority input allows applicants to draw on in-house expertise in terms of both local and technical knowledge. Responding to such input should reduce areas of disagreement to be considered during the examination and improve the NSIP proposals with the aim that they can become more acceptable to local communities.

PPAs will be based on “without prejudice” engagement between the council and promoter. Professional advice and input will be provided but will be without prejudice to views and submissions provided at any stage of the process.
The SCC approach to cost recovery for DCOs was confirmed through Surrey County Council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee on 24 June 2026.

Relevant services

SCC has multiple responsibilities and interests across a wide range of topic areas for the county. Below is a list of SCC services typically involved in NSIPs, although this is not exclusive.

• Highway and Transport – SCC is the Highway Authority for Surrey. Specific teams that will input include Transport Studies and Modelling, Transport Development Planning, Passenger Transport, Transport Policy
• Public Rights of Way
• Minerals and Waste Planning Authority
• Lead Local Flood Authority
• Historic Environment Planning
• Ecology – SCC is also the Responsible Authority for the Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy
• Public Health
• Economy and Growth
• Emergency Planning
• Landscape
• Legal

Coordination will take place through the Strategic Spatial Planning Team who will be the county council’s main point of contact throughout the process.

Our charges

Costs will be recovered for the full range of services and work we provide in relation to the DCO.
The SCC corporate hourly charge out rates for 25/26 are provided below.

As an indication:

• Technician – PS7
• Senior Technician – PS8
• Officer/Principal Technician – PS9/PS10
• Senior Officer/Specialist – PS11
• Principal Officer/Team Manager – PS12
• Head of Service – PS14/15

For promoters of new schemes and for initial discussions, please contact us via planning.consultations@surreycc.gov.uk

Current NSIPs in the Surrey area

Southampton to London Pipeline Project

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy granted development consent for the Esso Southampton to London Pipeline Project in October 2020. The purpose of the project is to replace 90km of the existing 105km underground aviation fuel pipeline that runs from Fawley Refinery near Southampton to the West London Terminal storage facility in Hounslow. The route runs through Surrey Heath, Runnymede and Spelthorne.

Information and updates on the project are available on the Southampton to London Pipeline Project website

Formal documentation relating to the examination process, is available on the Southampton to London Pipeline Project pages of the Planning Inspectorate website

M25 junction 10/A3 Wisley interchange improvement

The Secretary of State for Transport granted development consent for the scheme in May 2022.

This junction is one of the busiest on the National Highways network, with almost 300,000 journeys every day. Due to the volume of traffic and the resulting queues, this area of the National Highways network has a poor safety record and one of the highest collision rates across their network. The scheme aims to reduce delays, smooth traffic flows and create safer journeys for all.

Scheme elements include:

• Four new slip roads for the M25 junction 10 roundabout, so traffic turning left can pass through the junction easily
• Increase of M25 from three to four lanes through the junction
• The A3 will become four lanes either side of the junction 10 roundabout
• Improvements to the A245 and Painshill roundabout
• Closure of some local side road junctions and private access that currently connect directly with the A3
• New and safer routes for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders

More information and updates on the project are available on the National Highways dedicated M25 junction 10 webpage.

Formal documentation relating to the examination process, including SCC input to the process, is available on M25 junction 10/A3 Wisley interchange improvement page of Planning Inspectorate website

Gatwick Northern Runway Project

The Secretary of State for Transport granted development consent for the scheme in September 2025.

The scheme will bring the existing northern (standby/maintenance) runway at Gatwick Airport into routine use alongside the main runway, enabling the dual operation of both runways.

The project would enable Gatwick to grow to accommodate 75.6 million passengers per annum by 2038, an increase of 13 million passengers per annum compared to forecasts for single runway operation.

The Northern Runway Project incorporates:

• Repositioning of the Northern Runway (12 metres north) and reconfiguration of taxiways
• Expansion of the terminal buildings
• A new pier and amendments to aircraft stands
• Other airport facilities, including a waste facility, a new hangar and new fire training grounds
• New office space and hotel rooms
• Additional car parking
• Road improvement works
• Environmental and mitigation measures

Elements of the scheme, such as highway works and construction compounds, are proposed within the Surrey boundary.

More information on the project is available on the Gatwick Airport Limited website.

Formal documentation relating to the examination process, including SCC input to the process, is available on the Gatwick Northern Runway Project pages of the Planning Inspectorate website.

River Thames Scheme

The River Thames Scheme covers part of the largest area of undefended, developed floodplain in England. The scheme will consist of:

• A new flood channel in two sections, through the boroughs of Runnymede and Spelthorne
• Increases in capacity at three weirs and the Desborough Cut
• Landscape proposals for new public green spaces, access improvements and new habitat areas

The scheme is being delivered in a partnership led by the Environment Agency and Surrey County Council. Surrey County Council will therefore have a dual role as both joint applicant and host authority during the Development Consent Order process. Procedures have been put in place to ensure that the statutory roles of the council as host authority remain independent.

More information on the project is available on the River Thames Scheme website.