ARTICLE · 15 DECEMBER 2011

"Archaic And Clunky" Planning Applications Out - But Streamlined System Still Not Fully Understood

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP

Explore more from Bircham Dyson Bell LLP

A new streamlined planning consent system that could change the fortunes of the energy, transport, water and waste sectors is still not fully understood by major infrastructure project promoters.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

A new streamlined planning consent system that could change the fortunes of the energy, transport, water and waste sectors is still not fully understood by major infrastructure project promoters.

The Planning Act 2008 introduced a new system for getting consents for what the Act refers to as 'Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects'. These new consents are called 'Development Consent Orders' (DCOs).

But failure to get it right could leave project promoters with spectacular problems - big plans, but equally big penalties, says Robbie Owen of law firm Bircham Dyson Bell, one half of the DCO Advisers partnership formed to address the issue.

The system replaces a number of systems and regimes which have been around for many years, and are largely considered to be "archaic and clunky", and overly time-consuming in the current financial and technological environments.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

Apasen v Tower Hamlets: High Court Considers Set Aside Remedies And Contract Award Notice Accuracy Under The Procurement Act 2023

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Bevan Brittan LLP

From Voluntary To Mandatory: UK Human Rights Due Diligence

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Will The Defence Boom Change The Way The Industry Contracts?

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Local Authority View - October 2026

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Bevan Brittan LLP

Awaab’s Law Phase 2: Is Your Organisation Ready For The Next Stage?

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Shakespeare Martineau LLP

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

See more popular content from

Government, Public Sector

The EU Public Procurement Act: The Commission Proposes A European Preference Framework

On 9 September 2026, the European Commission (the “Commission”) presented its proposal for a new Public Procurement Act, a significant reform of the EU public procurement framework...

European UnionGovernment, Public Sector

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Sanctions: Fortnightly Summary

The UK government has significantly expanded its sanctions framework targeting Russia, introducing measures against individuals and entities involved in military supply chains, energy sectors, cryptocurrency networks, and alleged human rights violations. These developments reflect an evolving enforcement landscape with new powers, increased scrutiny of sanctions evasion, and landmark legal clarifications affecting businesses operating in sanctioned jurisdictions.

European UnionGovernment, Public Sector

BCL Solicitors LLP

Mind The Gap - Public Procurement Proceedings In The Energy Infrastructure Sector

Many of our clients are service providers and construction companies in the offshore energy business and they often participate in public tender proceedings.

European UnionGovernment, Public Sector

Budget Tracker (2026)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer faces the formidable challenge of delivering his first Budget amid economic headwinds, geopolitical instability, and a wave of ambitious government promises. With GDP growth forecast at just 1.1%, inflation at 3.4%, and public sector net borrowing exceeding £115 billion, can he balance fiscal responsibility with pledges to avoid raising Income Tax, National Insurance, or VAT while funding increased defence spending and social care reforms?

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Travers Smith LLP

Sanctions Fortnightly Summary: Key UK And International Developments

BCL's latest sanctions round-up provides a comprehensive overview of recent UK and international developments in sanctions law, enforcement actions, and compliance requirements. This fortnightly summary examines new designations, licensing updates, and emerging trends that businesses and legal professionals need to monitor.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

BCL Solicitors LLP

Investing In Infrastructure: When Public Policy Meets Private Capital

Governments across the UK and Europe have announced ambitious infrastructure programmes they cannot fund alone, creating significant opportunities for private capital. As public authorities shift from subsidy-based models to regulatory reform, investors must navigate an increasingly complex web of concurrent regulatory regimes - from merger control and national security screening to data protection and PFI handback obligations - to successfully deploy capital in this evolving landscape.

European UnionGovernment, Public Sector

Macfarlanes LLP

The Economics Of Small Modular Reactors: A Primer For Investors And Policymakers

Other things being equal, an SMR should produce a unit of electricity at higher cost than a gigawatt-scale plant. That is the diseconomies of scale. Proponents accept the point but say other things are not equal.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Beyond The Battlefield: Private Equity, PPPs, And The Future Of UK Defence Infrastructure?

Capital and maintenance spending in defence infrastructure has frequently been delayed or cancelled in the recent past, largely as a result of budgetary pressure.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

The Hillsborough Law Bill: Key Duties And Implications

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the Hillsborough Bill, is progressing through Parliament with provisions that extend far beyond traditional public bodies. Private sector organisations delivering outsourced public services or supplying critical systems to government may find themselves subject to new statutory duties of candour, criminal liability for failing to cooperate with inquiries, and enhanced scrutiny at inquests. Will your organisation's governance and investigation procedures with

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) And National Security Screening

Angela Gregson of Weightmans and Sean Ryan of Whitney Moore compare Ireland's new foreign direct investment screening regime with the UK's established National Security and Investment Act, examining when notification is required, key procedural differences, and practical steps to navigate both frameworks. The analysis draws on recent annual reports to reveal how these regimes are operating in practice and what reforms are on the horizon.

United KingdomGovernment, Public Sector