Developments of National Significance (DNS) in Wales

How the DNS regime works in Wales, including what qualifies, how to apply to Welsh Ministers, and the process and timelines for determination.

Wales
Guide summary

If your large infrastructure project in Wales meets certain size criteria, you must apply through the Developments of National Significance (DNS) route. This involves submitting your application to Welsh Ministers, not your local council, and going through a consultation and examination process. The DNS route covers energy projects (10MW-350MW), waste, minerals, water, and transport projects.

  • Check if your project meets DNS size thresholds
  • Energy projects: 10MW to 350MW qualify for DNS
  • Apply to Welsh Ministers, not your local council
  • Follow mandatory pre-application consultation process
  • Planning inspector examines your application
  • Decision made by Welsh Ministers
  • Keep to timelines for submission and consultation
  • Different thresholds apply in Wales than England
  • Includes energy, waste, minerals, water and transport
  • Smaller projects go to local councils
On this page
Wales

Related guides in Premises & Operations

If you are proposing a large infrastructure development in Wales, it may qualify as a Development of National Significance (DNS). DNS applications are decided by Welsh Ministers, not your local planning authority. The process is different from a standard planning application and involves examination by a planning inspector from Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).

This guide explains when the DNS regime applies, how to submit an application, and what to expect during the process.

When to use the DNS route

Your development must meet the criteria in the Developments of National Significance (Specified Criteria and Prescribed Secondary Consents) (Wales) Regulations 2016 (as amended 2019). The most common categories are:

  • Onshore energy generation: 10MW to 350MW capacity (including all onshore wind above 10MW)
  • Waste infrastructure: Meeting specified capacity thresholds
  • Minerals extraction: Meeting specified area or output thresholds
  • Water and wastewater: Meeting specified capacity thresholds
  • Transport infrastructure: Meeting specified scale thresholds

Below 10MW for energy (or below other category thresholds), the application goes to your local planning authority. Above 350MW for energy, the project enters the UK-wide NSIP regime.

  1. 1

    Check whether your development meets DNS criteria — review the 2016 Regulations (as amended 2019) or use the Welsh Government's DNS guidance

  2. 2

    Carry out mandatory pre-application consultation with the local community and statutory consultees before you submit

  3. 3

    Prepare your application, including an Environmental Impact Assessment if required

  4. 4

    Submit your application to Welsh Ministers via Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), not your local planning authority

  5. 5

    A PEDW inspector will examine the application, including hearings or a public inquiry where necessary

  6. 6

    The inspector issues a report with a recommendation to the Welsh Ministers

  7. 7

    Welsh Ministers make the final decision to grant or refuse permission

Timelines

There is no statutory determination period for DNS applications, but the Welsh Government aims for decisions within 12 months of submission. Complex projects involving public inquiry may take longer.

Pre-application consultation must run for a minimum period as set out in the regulations — allow at least 6 weeks for community consultation before submitting.

Secondary consents

A significant advantage of the DNS route is that certain secondary consents (such as listed building consent or hazardous substances consent) can be included in the DNS application rather than applied for separately. This reduces the number of parallel applications you need to make.

What if you are refused?

There is no right of appeal against a DNS decision by Welsh Ministers. If your application is refused, you would need to submit a fresh application or challenge the decision by judicial review on legal grounds only.

Legal basis

Official guidance