A valid representation made during the formal representation period registers the person as an interested party for the SIP examination. PEDW and the Examining Authority then use the representations, application documents, impact reports and other evidence to identify the main issues and determine the examination procedure.

Keep copies of what you submit and follow the Primary Examination Notice and later procedural correspondence, because further deadlines may apply.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How we examine significant infrastructure projects https://www.gov.wales/how-we-examine-significant-infrastructure-projects-sip

Welsh Government / PEDW - How communities can take part in a significant infrastructure project https://www.gov.wales/how-communities-can-take-part-significant-infrastructure-project-sip

Last checked: 25 September 2026

The Primary Examination Notice, often called the PEN, is a key procedural document issued for the examination. It identifies the matters to be examined, questions or information required, the examination timetable, hearing or inquiry arrangements and relevant deadlines.

Participants should treat the PEN as the working timetable for the case and check for updates if the procedure or timetable changes.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How we examine significant infrastructure projects https://www.gov.wales/how-we-examine-significant-infrastructure-projects-sip

Last checked: 25 September 2026

An open-floor hearing allows interested parties to speak on issues they choose within the procedural arrangements set by the Examining Authority. PEDW guidance states that an open-floor hearing will be held if one is requested in a written comment submitted during the representation period.

If you want one, request it in the representation and explain why oral participation would assist the examination.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How we examine significant infrastructure projects https://www.gov.wales/how-we-examine-significant-infrastructure-projects-sip

Welsh Government / PEDW - How communities can take part in a significant infrastructure project https://www.gov.wales/how-communities-can-take-part-significant-infrastructure-project-sip

Last checked: 25 September 2026

A hearing is generally an inquisitorial discussion led by the examining inspectors on identified issues. An inquiry is more formal and is used where complex technical or legal evidence may need to be tested, including questioning by legal representatives.

The amount of public interest alone does not normally determine the procedure. The Examining Authority decides how the issues can be examined fairly and efficiently.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How we examine significant infrastructure projects https://www.gov.wales/how-we-examine-significant-infrastructure-projects-sip

Last checked: 25 September 2026

Yes. PEDW's community guidance states that written representations carry equal weight to oral evidence. A person does not need to secure a speaking role at a hearing for their evidence to be considered.

This makes a clear, evidenced written representation particularly important.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How communities can take part in a significant infrastructure project https://www.gov.wales/how-communities-can-take-part-significant-infrastructure-project-sip

Last checked: 25 September 2026

Examining inspectors visit the site and local area. Where relevant features can be seen from public places the visit may be unaccompanied; access arrangements can be made where necessary.

The site visit is not an opportunity to argue the case. Requests for particular locations to be viewed should be made through the written process within the relevant deadline.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How we examine significant infrastructure projects https://www.gov.wales/how-we-examine-significant-infrastructure-projects-sip

Last checked: 25 September 2026

Yes, but changes are controlled through the statutory variation process. PEDW distinguishes general variations from requests involving additional land for compulsory acquisition and applies specific timing, consultation and examination requirements.

A variation will not be accepted if it would amount to a substantial change to the project. If a variation is accepted, further publicity, consultation or examination steps may be required.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - Changing a significant infrastructure project https://www.gov.wales/significant-infrastructure-projects-sip-changing-project-variation

Last checked: 25 September 2026

PEDW guidance provides for the examination to be reopened where new evidence or facts arise after closure and further procedural fairness is required. Participants may be asked whether they want a hearing or inquiry reopened or may be invited to provide further written evidence.

Do not assume that unsolicited late material will automatically be accepted. Follow the Examining Authority's directions.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How we examine significant infrastructure projects https://www.gov.wales/how-we-examine-significant-infrastructure-projects-sip

Last checked: 25 September 2026

An Infrastructure Consent Order can include powers to acquire land or rights without the owner's agreement where the statutory requirements are met. The compulsory acquisition case forms part of the infrastructure examination and affected land interests receive specific procedural protections.

PEDW states that compulsory acquisition will usually be considered at a hearing or inquiry. People whose land or rights are affected should read the relevant notices carefully and consider professional advice.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - Compulsory acquisition in infrastructure consenting https://www.gov.wales/significant-infrastructure-projects-sip-compulsory-acquisition-infrastructure-consenting

Last checked: 25 September 2026

Potentially, but a specific statutory variation procedure applies. The applicant must first consult affected landowners for at least the period required by the regulations and must justify why the additional land is needed and why it was not included earlier.

PEDW then decides whether the variation can be accepted and examined within the statutory process.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - Changing a significant infrastructure project https://www.gov.wales/significant-infrastructure-projects-sip-changing-project-variation

Welsh Government / PEDW - Compulsory acquisition in infrastructure consenting https://www.gov.wales/significant-infrastructure-projects-sip-compulsory-acquisition-infrastructure-consenting

Last checked: 25 September 2026

The examining authority conducts the examination and normally provides a report and recommendation. Welsh Ministers then consider the case and make the decision in accordance with the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 framework, except where legislation provides for a decision by the examining authority.

The decision-making framework includes relevant infrastructure policy statements, the National Development Framework where relevant, any relevant marine plan, impact reports, climate considerations and other relevant matters.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How a SIP decision is made https://www.gov.wales/significant-infrastructure-projects-sip-how-decision-made

Last checked: 25 September 2026

A final infrastructure consent decision is not subject to an ordinary planning merits appeal. PEDW guidance states that it can be challenged through judicial review.

Judicial review concerns legal error rather than asking the court to remake the planning merits decision. Strict time limits apply, so specialist legal advice should be obtained promptly.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How a SIP decision is made https://www.gov.wales/significant-infrastructure-projects-sip-how-decision-made

Last checked: 25 September 2026

Yes, if the issue remains unresolved and you want it considered in the formal examination. PEDW's community guidance expressly advises people to submit a new representation during the formal representation period rather than relying on an earlier pre-application response.

Check the applicant's consultation report to see how the earlier comment was recorded and whether the proposal changed in response.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How communities can take part in a significant infrastructure project https://www.gov.wales/how-communities-can-take-part-significant-infrastructure-project-sip

Last checked: 25 September 2026

Yes. PEDW advises that the request should be made in the representation submitted during the formal representation period and should explain why an open-floor hearing would assist.

Requesting one does not give a participant control over the examination. The examining inspectors set the arrangements, speaking order and any time limits.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How communities can take part in a significant infrastructure project https://www.gov.wales/how-communities-can-take-part-significant-infrastructure-project-sip

Welsh Government / PEDW - How we examine significant infrastructure projects https://www.gov.wales/how-we-examine-significant-infrastructure-projects-sip

Last checked: 25 September 2026

PEDW advises participants to focus on planning issues, use facts, be specific and provide examples or evidence. A representation should explain plainly what the Examining Authority is being asked to understand about the proposal.

Local evidence can be particularly useful where it tests an assumption in the application, but it should be connected to the planning effect being alleged.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How communities can take part in a significant infrastructure project https://www.gov.wales/how-communities-can-take-part-significant-infrastructure-project-sip

Last checked: 25 September 2026

PEDW explains that the examination is guided by the issues raised, not simply by how many people raise them. An issue does not receive greater weight solely because it appears in many objections.

Petitions and shared material can demonstrate community concern, but planning arguments should still identify the relevant impacts and evidence.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - How communities can take part in a significant infrastructure project https://www.gov.wales/how-communities-can-take-part-significant-infrastructure-project-sip

Last checked: 25 September 2026

Most planning appeals are dealt with by written representations, although PEDW can use a hearing, inquiry or a combination of procedures where appropriate. The Inspector considers the application material, appeal documents, relevant law and policy and other material considerations.

An appeal is not simply a second public consultation. Participants should follow the procedure and deadlines specified for the appeal.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - Planning appeals guidance https://www.gov.wales/planning-appeals-guidance-html

Last checked: 25 September 2026

There is no general third-party planning merits appeal equivalent to the applicant's section 78 appeal. A person who believes a decision is legally flawed may need to consider the separate legal remedies available rather than a planning appeal.

Legal challenges are subject to different tests and strict time limits. Obtain appropriate legal advice promptly if considering court proceedings.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - Planning appeals guidance https://www.gov.wales/planning-appeals-guidance-html

Last checked: 25 September 2026

Planning enforcement concerns development that may have been carried out without required permission or in breach of planning control. Local planning authorities have enforcement powers and must decide whether formal action is appropriate in the circumstances.

An enforcement dispute is different from objecting to a current planning application. Where an enforcement notice is served, specified persons with an interest in the land can have statutory appeal rights.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - Appeal a planning enforcement notice https://www.gov.wales/appeal-planning-enforcement-notice

Last checked: 25 September 2026

Read the variation documents rather than relying on the original application. Identify what has changed, whether the environmental or planning effects have changed and whether earlier concerns remain accurate.

If PEDW re-publicises or consults on the varied scheme, respond within the stated period and focus on the consequences of the change as well as any unresolved original issue.

Sources and further information

Welsh Government / PEDW - Changing a significant infrastructure project https://www.gov.wales/significant-infrastructure-projects-sip-changing-project-variation

Last checked: 25 September 2026

For new qualifying infrastructure cases, the Significant Infrastructure Project (SIP) regime replaced the DNS system from 15 December 2025. The SIP regime is established under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 and creates a unified infrastructure consenting process.

Some older DNS applications continue under transitional arrangements. Therefore, a live Welsh case may still legitimately be described as DNS if it entered the system under the transitional provisions.

A SIP is a major infrastructure project within the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 regime. The Act covers specified infrastructure in areas including energy, transport, water, wastewater and waste, subject to statutory definitions and thresholds. Welsh Ministers can also have powers to bring certain other projects into the regime.

A SIP requires infrastructure consent rather than ordinary planning permission from the local planning authority.

Applications are submitted to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), which administers and processes SIP applications on behalf of Welsh Ministers. After a valid application is accepted, PEDW appoints one or more Planning Inspectors to form the Examining Authority (ExA) and conduct the examination.

For most SIP cases, Welsh Ministers make the final decision after considering the ExA's report and recommendation. PEDW therefore administers the process and provides the examining function through appointed Inspectors, while Welsh Ministers are the statutory decision makers for the usual SIP route.

An Infrastructure Consent Order is the legal order through which infrastructure consent may be granted for a Welsh SIP. It specifies the authorised development and can include requirements similar to planning conditions. Depending on the case and statutory powers sought, it may also incorporate other consents or powers such as compulsory acquisition.

The draft ICO is a core application document and should be read alongside the explanatory memorandum and environmental material.

Community involvement begins before the application. The applicant must carry out statutory pre-application consultation for at least 42 days. After a valid application is accepted, PEDW publicises it and opens a formal representation period.

Welsh Government guidance states that the examination can use written representations, hearings, inquiries or open-floor hearings. Follow the project’s case page because the formal deadlines determine when representations and later examination submissions must be made.

Use the deadline published for the individual SIP application. Current detailed PEDW examination guidance says that, after acceptance, PEDW asks for comments during a six-week representation period, and its community guidance says local communities have at least six weeks to submit representations.

There is an inconsistency within current official Welsh Government material: the SIP overview page describes a minimum five-week representations period, while the more detailed examination and community guidance says six weeks or at least six weeks. ObjectNow therefore does not recommend relying on a generic number where a live case notice is available: the PEDW case-specific notice and deadline should be followed.

Future Wales: The National Plan 2040 is the current National Development Framework and has development plan status. It sits at the highest tier of the statutory development plan system in Wales and should be read alongside Planning Policy Wales.

As of September 2026, Welsh Government is consulting on revision of the National Development Framework, but Future Wales remains the current adopted national plan unless and until replaced through the statutory process.

Planning Policy Wales sets out national land-use planning policy for Wales. It is supplemented by Technical Advice Notes, circulars and other national guidance. Future Wales provides the national spatial development plan, and the two should be read together where relevant.

For a representation, use the policy version applicable to the decision and explain how the project engages the specific policy rather than relying on broad references to PPW.

No. The Welsh Government has transitional provisions for projects already within the former consenting regimes. Some DNS applications submitted before 15 December 2025 continue to be processed under the DNS system.

This is why the PEDW casework portal can contain both DNS and SIP cases. Check the case title and procedural notices to determine which regime applies.

DNS was the previous Welsh national planning route for specified large infrastructure. PEDW handled applications and an Inspector examined the case, with Welsh Ministers making the decision in the usual DNS model. The process included pre-application stages, validation, a representations period, examination and decision.

DNS remains relevant to transitional cases, but new qualifying infrastructure applications from 15 December 2025 are generally dealt with through the SIP regime.

For a SIP, each relevant planning authority whose area contains part of the proposed development is required to submit a Local Impact Report (LIR) by the consultation deadline. The LIR describes the likely effects of the proposed development in that authority's area and covers matters such as planning history, local designations, policy, constraints, likely impacts and suggested requirements or obligations.

Community councils, and planning authorities whose administrative boundaries do not contain the development, may submit a voluntary LIR. The LIR is an important source of local evidence, but the Examining Authority also considers representations, application documents, policy, consultee evidence and other examination material.