I laid five energy National Policy Statements for parliamentary approval on 22 November 2023. I am therefore pleased to inform Parliament that I am today designating them as National Policy Statements under the provisions of Section 5(1) of the Planning Act 2008, and laying copies before you as required by Section 5(9)(b) of the same Act. The Statements are made under the Planning Act 2008 which applies to England and Wales.
This designation is an important landmark and marks significant progress in two vital areas of this country: new updated National Policy Statements support a stronger, fairer and more efficient planning system for significant national energy infrastructure; and they support our efforts to build an energy system that will meet our net zero objectives, and provide the country with greater energy security, helping the UK maintain energy supplies at affordable prices.