Consenting Strategy for DCO Promoters and Councils
Major projects rarely need just one consent. Urban Vista Planning advises infrastructure promoters and local authorities on the right consenting route, the full set of consents and permits, and how to sequence them, from the first appraisal through examination to the discharge of requirements.
We Help With
For Promoters
For developers, utilities and other promoters of DCOs and complex multi-consent projects.
- Consenting route appraisal: planning permission, DCO, section 35 and opt-out directions, Transport and Works Act Orders and Harbour Revision Orders
- Consents and permits register, with programme and critical path
- Pre-application engagement strategy with councils, statutory consultees and communities
- Planning Statements, policy compliance and National Policy Statement tables
- Input to requirements and the draft DCO alongside your legal advisers
- Statements of Common Ground and examination hearings
- Discharge of requirements and post-consent changes
For Councils
For host authorities responding to NSIPs, and councils promoting projects of their own.
- Responding to NSIP pre-application engagement and scoping
- Planning performance agreements and resourcing
- Local Impact Reports and written representations
- Statements of Common Ground and hearing representation
- Review of draft requirements and obligations
- Discharge of requirements and post-consent monitoring
- Consenting strategy for council-promoted projects, from regeneration and flood alleviation to waterfront and transport schemes
What Has Changed for NSIPs
The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 has changed how DCO projects are prepared and examined. Strategies set before July 2026 may need revisiting.
No statutory pre-application consultation
Since 24 July 2026, NSIP promoters no longer have to carry out statutory consultation under section 42 and related provisions. Publicity duties remain, and engagement still shapes the examination.
New acceptance test
The Planning Inspectorate now checks whether the applicant has had regard to Government guidance and advice, rather than compliance with the old consultation duties.
Opt-out directions
The Secretary of State can direct that a project within the NSIP thresholds does not need development consent, opening other consenting routes.
Guidance for councils
Councils must have regard to the Secretary of State's guidance when preparing Local Impact Reports and examination representations.
Biodiversity net gain for NSIPs
Biodiversity net gain applies to NSIP applications made from 2 November 2026, which affects land take, design and mitigation strategy.
How We Work
Our Chartered Town Planners, supported by a network of specialist associates, can lead the consenting strategy or slot into an existing project team alongside engineers, environmental consultants and lawyers. That includes waterside and river projects, where planning permission sits alongside navigation, Environment Agency and marine consents, as well as transport, energy and data centre infrastructure.
See our infrastructure planning services, or our guide to mooring and marina consents for an example of how several consent regimes fit together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a consenting strategy?
A plan for securing every consent a project needs to be built. It identifies the right primary route, such as planning permission or a Development Consent Order, lists the secondary consents, permits and licences, sets out who decides each one and what evidence they need, and sequences them so that no consent holds up construction.
Does my project need a Development Consent Order?
Projects above the thresholds in the Planning Act 2008 are Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and need a DCO. Some smaller projects can opt into the regime through a section 35 direction, and since July 2026 the Secretary of State can also direct that a project within the thresholds does not need development consent, so it can follow another route such as planning permission.
Is pre-application consultation still required for a DCO?
The statutory pre-application consultation duties, including section 42 consultation, were removed from 24 July 2026 by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025. Publicity requirements remain, the acceptance test now asks whether the applicant has had regard to Government guidance, and effective engagement with councils, consultees and communities is still expected.
What is a Local Impact Report?
A report by a host council on the likely impact of a proposed NSIP on its area, under section 60 of the Planning Act 2008. The Examining Authority and the Secretary of State must have regard to it. Councils must now also have regard to the Secretary of State's guidance when preparing it, so a well-evidenced, focused report carries real weight.
Can a DCO include other consents?
Yes. A DCO can grant compulsory acquisition powers and a deemed marine licence, and can remove the need for some other consents, although removing certain consents needs the agreement of the body that would otherwise grant them. Environmental permits, protected species licences and some other approvals are still usually needed separately, so they belong in the consents register from the start.
Can you support a council that lacks resources for an NSIP?
Yes. We can support officers through pre-application, examination and post-consent work, including Local Impact Reports, written representations, Statements of Common Ground and the discharge of requirements. Councils often fund extra resource through planning performance agreements with promoters. We check for conflicts of interest before acting on any project.
Need Consenting Support?
Book a free scoping call for an initial view on the consenting route, the consents involved and the key programme risks.
Book a Free Consultation