Major Projects (Hansard, 18 May 1999)

§ Mr. Caborn

I have today issued a consultation paper on streamlining the processing of major infrastructure projects and other major projects of national significance. Comments are invited by 30 July 1999.

The purpose of the proposals is to achieve significant improvements in the time taken to handle major projects, whilst continuing to ensure that adequate opportunity is given for people to have a say, test the evidence and reach a sound decision. To that end, the paper proposes: preparation of statements to set the national policy framework for projects before they are considered in the planning system and to reduce unnecessary debate at a subsequent public inquiry; supplementing existing mechanisms for Parliamentary involvement with new Parliamentary procedures for approving projects in principle before consideration of detailed issues at inquiry, with provision to avoid discussing at inquiry matters settled by Parliament's approval in principle; and improved public inquiry procedures for major projects. These are in addition to those which I announced on 31 March 1999, Official Report, column 762, for streamlining planning inquiries and other methods of handling appeals generally in response to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Stewart). The consultation paper nevertheless invites views on the potential for applying the proposals for streamlining inquiries into major projects to a wider range of projects.

The package of proposals published today is designed to deliver significant savings by streamlining the procedures for handling major projects and speeding the decision-making process. This will reduce delay, costs and uncertainty for all involved and secure the benefits of projects which are approved more quickly.

A copy of the consultation paper has been placed in the Library.