Planning and the strategic road network in England

A member of our planning team with knowledge and experience of the area will be assigned to assess and respond to your enquiry. We will advise whether the development proposal is likely to be of interest to us and of any known potential constraints to the proposed development. Where it is likely that a proposal will be considered unacceptable in principle, we will provide guidance as to what, if any, steps could be taken to address the identified concerns.

Where a meeting is requested, we will usually respond within 7 days and arrange this with you.

We will provide a final response to most pre-application requests within 21 days, with larger or more complex developments often requiring ongoing discussion beyond this period in accordance with an agreed timetable.

If a scoping report is to be prepared in advance of any initial meeting with us, we advise this includes:

• details of the development, such as location, access arrangements, use class, size or number of units, likely phasing, maximum number of parking spaces and any other relevant information
• proposed methodology for estimating the vehicular trip generation and distribution on the SRN, and resulting trip generation figures
• proposed methodology for assessing the impact of this trip generation on the SRN
• proposed methodology for assessing the environmental consequences of the transport impacts of the development

Under these new powers, National Highways intends to recover all costs for each stage of the NSIP process:

1. Pre-application
2. Acceptance
3. Pre-examination
4. Examination
5. Recommendation and decision
6. Post-decision and implementation

For all new DCO schemes, National Highways will engage with the applicant either before or during the pre-application stage to discuss requirements and the likely scope of our services in relation to the NSIP application.

For existing DCO schemes, National Highways will engage with the applicant to confirm the transitional arrangements for introducing cost recovery in line with the new regulations. This will be dependent upon the current stage of the NSIP application and if there is already an existing cost agreement in place with us.

Details of our charges, including confirmation of the date we intend to begin recovering costs, will be set out in writing on a scheme-by-scheme basis. 

Given the complexity and different potential impacts on the SRN across the portfolio of NSIPs, we will be utilising a time charge system with the costs recovered determined by the level of input required from National Highways in relation to your application.

Costs will be recovered for the full range of services and activities we provide in relation to the NSIP application, including any direct costs associated with planning advice, legal support and our response to statutory consultations, along with indirect costs relating to internal assessment and considerations and when providing advice to third parties such as DfT.

Costs will also be recovered for specialist engineering advice including, but not limited to, technical review of transport models and advice on geotechnics, structures and highway design for those projects that may require physical changes to our assets, or that may impact the safe operation of the SRN.

Our charges will be based on a schedule of rates, including those in relation to any external consultants. Rates applied for National Highways’ staff time will be informed by our pay scales, and the cost of staff overheads, which will be apportioned on a per capita basis. We will also fully recover charges for any expenses incurred as a result of the NSIP application, for example travel and subsistence costs incurred by either National Highways’ staff or our external consultants.

For National Highways to provide an estimate of costs, we would need to meet with you to discuss your application further.

Please contact us on the below email address to schedule a meeting with National Highways, in order that we can assess the expected scope of services for your NSIP. An estimate of costs to be recovered along with our payment schedule and invoicing arrangements will then be set out in writing within 28 days of our meeting, subject to us having received sufficient information on which to base our estimate.

Costs for both this initial meeting and the administration set up of our services will be recovered in full, at a charge of £500. Payment of this fee along with all other future phases of work will be invoiced monthly in arrears and will require settlement within 30 days upon receipt of each invoice.

The government introduced cost recovery to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning services and improve opportunities to engage and collaborate earlier in the consenting process.

If you have any questions relating to a Nationally Significant Infrastructure project, we would therefore urge you to contact us at the earliest possible opportunity by email:  ThirdPartyInfrastructureGroup@nationalhighways.co.uk