The former Developments of National Significance (DNS) route ceased to have effect on 15 December 2025. Sections 62D to 62L of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Part 5 of the Planning (Wales) Act 2015 were omitted by the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024.
Do not prepare or submit a new application using the former DNS criteria or procedure. Major Welsh infrastructure projects now fall within the infrastructure-consent framework established by the 2024 Act where its current criteria apply.
Choose the current consent route
Check the current Welsh infrastructure-consent criteria and procedure before preparing an application. The correct route depends on the project and whether it falls within the 2024 Act framework; other development may remain within the local planning system.
Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) can provide procedural contact information. For advice on how the law applies to a particular project, seek professional planning or legal advice.
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Do not use the former DNS thresholds, forms or procedural guidance for a new application
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Check whether the project falls within the current Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 consent framework
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Identify any other planning, environmental or secondary consents the project needs
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Use current Welsh Government procedural information and contact PEDW if the correct route is unclear
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Seek professional planning or legal advice before committing to an application route
Official guidance
Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (opens in a new tab)
Contact PEDW (Planning and Environment Decisions Wales) (opens in a new tab)
Contact details for Planning and Environment Decisions Wales
www.gov.wales
DNS procedural guidance - GOV.WALES (opens in a new tab)
www.gov.wales
Developments of national significance: guidance - GOV.WALES (opens in a new tab)
www.gov.wales
DNS (Planning (Wales) Act 2015) (opens in a new tab)
HSE