Regulator Profile

Planning Inspectorate

The Planning Inspectorate

Enforcement Regulator

2

Areas of regulation

26

Laws enforced

UK-wide

Quick links

Visit official website Call 0303 444 5000

Development Consent Planning

What Planning Inspectorate does

Examines applications for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) under the Planning Act 2008, including large offshore wind farms, power stations, and transmission lines. Makes recommendations to Secretary of State.

Additional information

Development Consent Orders (DCOs) for projects over thresholds. Offshore wind >100MW goes through PINS.

Legal framework

Legislation that Planning Inspectorate enforces.

Primary legislation

• Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Act 2004
• Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Section 78 Act 1990
• Planning Act 2008, Part 11 Act 2008
• Planning Act 2008, Part 5 Act 2008
• Planning Act 2008, Part 6 Act 2008
• Planning Act 2008, Section 98 Act 2008
• Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, s.38 Act 2004
• Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Part VII Act 1990
• Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Section 106 Act 1990
• Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Section 106A Act 1990
• Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Section 106B Act 1990
• Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Section 70 Act 1990
• Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 Act 1997
• Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, Section 75 Act 1997

Secondary legislation

• Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 UK Statutory Instrument 2015
• Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (England) Regulations 2012 UK Statutory Instrument 2012
• Town and Country Planning (Brownfield Land Register) Regulations 2017 UK Statutory Instrument 2017
• Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012 UK Statutory Instrument 2012
• Biodiversity Gain (Town and Country Planning) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 UK Statutory Instrument 2024
• Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) (Amendment) Order 2021 UK Statutory Instrument 2021
• Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 UK Statutory Instrument 1995
• Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 UK Statutory Instrument 1987
• Planning (Fees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 Northern Ireland Statutory Rule 2015
• Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 Northern Ireland Statutory Rule 2015
• ... and 2 more statutory instruments

Sectors regulated

Infrastructure Mining vehicles, transport and equipment