Legislation – Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024

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Introduction

PART 1
SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

1 Meaning of “significant infrastructure project”

2 Electricity infrastructure

3 Liquified natural gas facilities

4 Gas reception facilities

5 Hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and coal gasification

6 Open cast coal mining

7 Highways

8 Railways

9 Rail freight interchanges

10 Harbour facilities

11 Airports

12 Dams and reservoirs

13 Transfer of water resources

14 Waste water treatment plants

15 Hazardous waste facilities

16 Radioactive waste geological disposal facilities

17 Power to add, vary or remove projects

18 Cross-border projects

PART 2
REQUIREMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE CONSENT

19 Requirement for infrastructure consent

20 Effect of requirement for infrastructure consent

21 Power to add or remove types of consent

22 Directions specifying development as a significant infrastructure project

23 Directions for applications to be treated as applications for infrastructure consent

24 Directions specifying that development is not a significant infrastructure project

25 Directions under section 22 to 24: general provision

26 Directions under section 22: regulations about procedure

PART 3
APPLYING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE CONSENT

27 Provision of pre-application services

28 Obtaining information about interests in land

29 Notice of proposed application

30 Pre-application consultation and publicity

31 Change in the person who proposes to apply for infrastructure consent

32 Applying for infrastructure consent

33 Deciding on the validity of an application and notifying the applicant

34 Notice of accepted applications and publicity

35 Regulations about notices and publicity

36 Local impact reports

37 Marine impact reports

38 Notice of persons interested in land to which compulsory acquisition request relates

39 Consultation post-application in relation to compulsory acquisition

PART 4
EXAMINING APPLICATIONS

40 Appointing an examining authority

41 Examining authority to examine applications

42 Choice of inquiry, hearing or written procedure

43 Open-floor hearings

44 Examination procedure

45 Power to enter land in connection with examination

46 Power to enter Crown land in connection with examination

47 Power of examining authority to hold local inquiry

48 Access to evidence at inquiry

49 Payment of appointed representative where access to evidence restricted

50 Assessors

51 Legal assistance

52 Reports by examining authority

53 Power to direct further examination

54 Orders relating to costs of parties on examination proceedings

PART 5
DECIDING APPLICATIONS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE CONSENT

55 Function of deciding applications

56 Deciding applications: general considerations

57 Duty to have regard to specific matters when making decisions on applications

58 Matters that may be disregarded when making decisions on applications

59 Timetable for deciding application for infrastructure consent

60 Grant or refusal of infrastructure consent

61 Development for which infrastructure consent may be granted

62 Reasons for decision to grant or refuse infrastructure consent

PART 6
INFRASTRUCTURE CONSENT ORDERS

63 What may be included in an infrastructure consent order

64 Purpose for which compulsory acquisition may be authorised

65 Land to which authorisation of compulsory acquisition can relate

66 Application of compulsory acquisition provisions

67 Compensation for compulsory acquisition

68 Statutory undertakers’ land

69 National Trust land

70 Commons, open spaces etc: compulsory acquisition of land

71 Commons, open spaces etc: compulsory acquisition of rights over land

72 Notice of authorisation of compulsory acquisition

73 Public rights of way

74 Power to override easements and other rights

75 Extinguishment of rights, and removal of apparatus, of statutory undertakers etc.

76 Crown land

77 Operation of generating stations

78 Keeping electric lines installed above ground

79 Diversion of watercourses

80 Highways

81 Harbours

82 Discharge of water

83 Deemed consent under a marine licence

84 Removing consent requirements and deeming consents

85 Infrastructure consent orders: publication and procedure

86 Meaning of “decision documents” and “error”

87 Power to correct errors in decision documents

88 Correcting errors: regulations

89 Definitions

90 Power to change or revoke infrastructure consent orders

91 Procedure: changing and revoking infrastructure consent orders

92 Changing and revoking infrastructure consent orders: formalities

93 Changing or revoking an infrastructure consent order: compensation

94 Duration of infrastructure consent order

95 When development begins

96 Legal challenges

97 Benefit of infrastructure consent order

98 Planning obligations

99 Blighted land

100 Nuisance: statutory authority

101 Compensation in case where defence of statutory authority applies

102 Meaning of “land”

PART 7
ENFORCEMENT

103 Development without infrastructure consent

104 Breach of terms of infrastructure consent order

105 Time limits

106 Powers to enter land for enforcement purposes

107 Warrant to enter land

108 Rights of entry: supplementary provisions

109 Rights of entry: Crown land

110 Marine enforcement powers

111 Power to require information

112 Offences of failing to comply with information notices

113 Notice of unauthorised development

114 Order to permit steps required by notice of unauthorised development

115 Power to enter land and take steps required by notice of unauthorised development

116 Recovery of costs of compliance with notice of unauthorised development

117 Power to issue temporary stop notice

118 Restrictions on power to issue temporary stop notice

119 Duration etc. of temporary stop notice

120 Offence of breaching temporary stop notice

121 Compensation for loss due to notice

122 Injunction to restrain prohibited activity

123 Meaning of “relevant planning authority”

PART 8
SUPPLEMENTARY FUNCTIONS

124 Fees for performance of infrastructure consent functions and services

125 Powers of entry to survey land

126 Powers of entry to survey land: Crown land

127 Infrastructure policy statements

128 Register of applications and pre-application services

129 Power to consult and duty to respond to consultation

130 Directions to public authorities

131 Power to disapply requirements

132 Applications by the Crown

PART 9
GENERAL PROVISIONS

133 Meaning of “development”

134 Crown land and “the appropriate Crown authority”

135 Offences by bodies corporate

136 Giving notices and other documents

137 Giving notices etc. to persons occupying or with an interest in land

138 Giving documents to the Crown

139 Duties to publish

140 Regulations and orders: restrictions

141 Regulations: procedure

142 Directions: general

143 General interpretation

144 Power to make consequential and transitional provision etc.

145 Consequential amendments and repeals

146 Transitional and saving provision

147 Coming into force

148 Short title

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 PROVISION RELATING TO, OR TO MATTERS ANCILLARY TO, DEVELOPMENT

SCHEDULE 2 COMPENSATION FOR CHANGING OR REVOKING INFRASTRUCTURE CONSENT ORDERS

SCHEDULE 3 CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS AND REPEALS

Changes to legislation:

Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024, SCHEDULE 3 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 08 December 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.


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SCHEDULE 3CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS AND REPEALS

(Introduced by section 145)

Harbours Act 1964 (c. 40)

1

(1)

The Harbours Act 1964 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 14(1A), after paragraph (b) insert—

“(c)

section 20(2) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of powers to authorise development to the extent that infrastructure consent is required);

(d)

section 63(8) of that Act (exclusion of power to include ancillary provision in orders).”

(3)

In section 16(3A), after paragraph (b) insert—

“(c)

section 20(2) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of powers to authorise development to the extent that infrastructure consent is required);

(d)

section 63(8) of that Act (exclusion of power to include ancillary provision in orders).”

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I1Sch. 3 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Highways Act 1980 (c. 66)

2

(1)

The Highways Act 1980 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 10(2A), after “required)” insert “and section 20(3) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of powers to make or confirm orders in relation to highways for which infrastructure consent required)”.

(3)

In section 14(1A), after “required)” insert “and section 20(3) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of powers to make or confirm orders in relation to highways for which infrastructure consent required)”.

(4)

In section 16(3A), after “required)” insert “and section 20(3) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of powers to make or confirm orders in relation to highways for which infrastructure consent required)”.

(5)

In section 18(1A), after “required)” insert “and section 20(3) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of powers to make or confirm orders in relation to highways for which infrastructure consent required)”.

(6)

In section 106(4A), after “required)” insert “and section 20(3) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of powers to make or confirm orders or schemes in relation to highways for which infrastructure consent required)”.

(7)

In section 108(1A), after “required)” insert “and section 20(3) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of powers to make or confirm orders in relation to highways for which infrastructure consent required)”.

(8)

In section 110(1A), after “required)” insert “and section‍ 20(4) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of power to authorise diversion of non-navigable waters in relation to highways for which infrastructure consent required)”.

(9)

In section 329(1)—

(a)

in the definition of “special road” after “2008” insert “or an infrastructure consent order under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024”;

(b)

in the definition of “trunk road” after “2008,” insert “or an infrastructure consent order under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024,”.

(10)

In section 337—

(a)

omit “or” at the end of paragraph (a);

(b)

after paragraph (b) insert—

“(c)

the carrying out of any development for which infrastructure consent is required under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 and for which infrastructure consent has not been given under that Act.”

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I2Sch. 3 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29)

3

(1)

The Electricity Act 1989 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 36—

(a)

in subsection (1A), after “required)” insert “and section 20(1) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of requirement for other consents for development for which infrastructure consent is required).”;

(b)

in subsection (1B), after “2008” insert “and subsection (1) does not apply if the operation is authorised by an infrastructure consent order under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024.”

(3)

In section 37(2A)(b), after “planning permission” insert “, infrastructure consent order,”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I3Sch. 3 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8)

4

(1)

The TCPA 1990 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 57(1A), after “required)” insert “and section 20(1) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of requirement for planning permission etc. for development for which infrastructure consent is required)”.

(3)

Omit sections 62D to 62L.

(4)

In section 62M(4)(a) omit “, provided that the development to which it relates is not a development of national significance for the purpose of section 62D”.

(5)

In section 62P—

(a)

in subsection (1), omit “62D,”;

(b)

in subsection (2), omit “62D or”.

(6)

In section 62Q—

(a)

in subsection (1)(a), omit “62D, 62F,”;

(b)

in subsection (4)(a)—

(i)

omit “section 62D or”;

(ii)

for “the section in question” substitute “that section”;

(c)

in subsection (4)(b)—

(i)

omit “62F or”;

(ii)

for “the section in question” substitute “that section”.

(7)

In section 62R(1)—

(a)

omit “62D,”;

(b)

omit “62F,” in both places it occurs.

(8)

In section 62S—

(a)

omit “developments of national significance and”;

(b)

after “Welsh Ministers” insert “under section 62M or 62O”.

(9)

In section 70(1)(a), omit “section 62D(5),”.

(10)

In section 70A(1)(a), as it applies in relation to Wales, omit “62D, 62F,”.

(11)

In section 75A—

(a)

in subsection (1)(a), omit “62D,”;

(b)

in subsection (2), omit “62D,”;

(c)

in subsection (3), omit “62D,”.

(12)

In section 87, omit subsection (5).

(13)

In section 88, omit subsection (11).

(14)

In section 211 (preservation of trees in conservation areas)—

(a)

in subsection (1A) after “consent” insert “or by infrastructure consent order”;

(b)

in subsection (5A) after “consent” insert “or by infrastructure consent order”.

(15)

In section 252—

(a)

omit subsections (3A), (6B), (6C) and (6D);

(b)

in subsection (12), omit the definition of “development of national significance”.

(16)

In section 253(2)(aa), omit “62D, 62F,”.

(17)

In section 257(4)(c), omit “62D, 62F,”.

(18)

In section 284(3), omit paragraphs (aa) and (ab).

(19)

In section 303—

(a)

in subsection (1B)(a), omit “section 62D (developments of national significance),”;

(b)

in subsection (1C)—

(i)

omit paragraph (a);

(ii)

in paragraph (b), omit “62D, 62F,”.

(20)

In section 319B—

(a)

in subsection (5A), omit “62D,”;

(b)

in subsection (7), omit paragraph (za);

(c)

in subsection (8A), omit “62D,”.

(21)

In section 324(1), omit paragraph (bb).

(22)

In section 333—

(a)

in subsection (3F), omit paragraphs (b) and (c);

(b)

in subsection (5C), omit “62L(9),”.

(23)

In section 336(1) (interpretation), at the appropriate place, insert—

““infrastructure consent order has the meaning given in section 143 of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024;”.

(24)

In Schedule 1A, in paragraph 8(2A), omit “62D, 62F,”.

(25)

In Schedule 4D—

(a)

in the Schedule title, omit “DEVELOPMENTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE AND”;

(b)

omit paragraph 1;

(c)

in paragraph 3—

(i)

omit “1 or” in both places it occurs;

(ii)

omit “or consent” in both places it occurs;

(iii)

omit “(as the case may be)”;

(d)

in paragraph 4—

(i)

omit “1 or” in both places it occurs;

(ii)

omit “or consent” in both places it occurs;

(e)

in paragraph 7, omit “or consent”;

(f)

omit paragraph 8(2);

(g)

in paragraph 9—

(i)

omit “or consent”;

(ii)

omit “paragraph 1 or”;

(h)

in paragraph 10—

(i)

omit “or consent” in both places it occurs;

(ii)

omit “1 or”;

(i)

in paragraph 11(1)—

(i)

omit “or consent”;

(ii)

omit “1 or”;

(j)

in paragraph 11(2), omit “1 or”;

(k)

in paragraph 12—

(i)

omit “or consent”;

(ii)

omit “1 or”;

(l)

in paragraph 13—

(i)

omit “or consent” in each place it occurs;

(ii)

omit “1 or” in each place it occurs;

(iii)

omit “, as the case may be,”;

(m)

in paragraph 14, omit “or consent”.

(26)

In Schedule 16, in Part 1, for “62D” substitute “62M”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I4Sch. 3 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 (c. 10)

5

(1)

The Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 9(2)(c), after “permission in principle” insert “, infrastructure consent”.

(3)

In section 10(1), after “specified planning permission” insert “, infrastructure consent”.

(4)

In section 12, after subsection (2B) insert—

“(2C)

On making an order granting infrastructure consent in respect of development that would involve the presence of a hazardous substance in circumstances requiring hazardous substances consent, the person making the order may direct that hazardous substances consent shall be deemed to be granted, subject to such conditions (if any) as may be specified in the direction.”

(5)

In section 14(2)(b), after “planning permission”, in each place it appears, insert “, infrastructure consent”.

(6)

In section 39, in the appropriate place, insert—

““infrastructure consent has the meaning given in section 143 of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024;”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I5Sch. 3 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (c. 22)

6

(1)

The New Roads and Street and Works Act 1991 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 6(1A), after “required)” insert “and section 20(3) (exclusion of powers to make or confirm orders in relation to highways for which infrastructure consent is required)”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I6Sch. 3 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Transport and Works Act 1992 (c. 42)

7

(1)

The Transport and Works Act 1992 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 1(1A) (exclusions relating to orders as to railways, tramways etc.) after paragraph (b) insert—

“(c)

section 20(2) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of powers to authorise development for which infrastructure consent is required);

(d)

section 63(8) of that Act (exclusion of powers to include ancillary provision in orders).”

(3)

In section 3(1A) (exclusions relating to orders as to inland waterways etc.) after paragraph (b) insert—

“(c)

section 20(2) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (exclusion of powers to authorise development for which infrastructure consent is required);

(d)

section 63(8) of that Act (exclusion of powers to include ancillary provision in orders).”

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I7Sch. 3 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Coal Industry Act 1994 (c. 21)

8

(1)

The Coal Industry Act 1994 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 53—

(a)

in subsection (1), after “planning permission” insert “or infrastructure consent”;

(b)

in subsection (2), after “such an application” insert “for planning permission, or where an examining authority or the Welsh Ministers consider any coal-mining proposals included in such an application for infrastructure consent,”;

(c)

in subsection (4)—

(i)

in paragraph (a), after “Town and Country Planning Act 1990” insert “, but “development” has the meaning given by section 133 of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 so far as it relates to coal-mining proposals included in an application for infrastructure consent”;

(ii)

after the definition of ““development” and “planning permission””, insert—

““examining authority” has the meaning given by section 40(7) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024;

“infrastructure consent has the meaning given by section 143 of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024;”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I8Sch. 3 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5)

9

(1)

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 60(3), for “development of national significance for the purposes of section 62D of the principal Act (development of national significance: applications to be made to Welsh Ministers)” substitute “a significant infrastructure project for the purposes of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I9Sch. 3 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23)

10

(1)

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 58, after subsection (5) insert—

“(5A)

This section does not apply to a decision on an application for infrastructure consent under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024.”

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I10Sch. 3 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (c. 29)

11

(1)

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 is amended as follows.

(2)

In Schedule 3, in paragraph 7(3) after “(nationally significant infrastructure projects)” insert “or work requiring infrastructure consent under section 19 of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024.”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I11Sch. 3 para. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4)

12

(1)

The Planning (Wales) Act 2015 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 1(6), for “to the Welsh Ministers. It makes provision” to the end substitute “either to the Welsh Ministers or a local planning authority”.

(3)

Omit sections 19 to 22.

(4)

In Schedule 4—

(a)

in paragraph 5, omit “section 62D(5)”;

(b)

in paragraph 6, omit “62D, 62F,”;

(c)

in paragraph 7, in the inserted section 75A of the TCPA 1990—

(i)

in subsection (1)(a), omit “62D,”;

(ii)

in subsection (2), omit “62D,”;

(iii)

in subsection (3), omit “62D,”;

(d)

omit paragraphs 8 and 9;

(e)

in paragraph 13, omit “62D, 62F,”;

(f)

in paragraph 14(b), omit “62D, 62F,”;

(g)

in paragraph 15(3)(c), omit paragraphs (aa) and (ab) inserted into section 284(3) of the TCPA 1990;

(h)

in paragraph 18, in the inserted section 303 of the TCPA 1990—

(i)

in subsection (1B)(a), omit “section 62D (developments of national significance),”;

(ii)

in subsection (1C), omit paragraph (a) and in paragraph (b), omit “62D, 62F,”;

(i)

in paragraph 20—

(i)

in sub-paragraph (2), omit “62D,”;

(ii)

in sub-paragraph (3), omit paragraph (za) inserted into section 319B(7) of the TCPA 1990;

(iii)

in sub-paragraph (4), in subsection (8A) inserted into section 319B of the TCPA 1990, omit “62D,”;

(j)

in paragraph 21, omit paragraph (bb) inserted into section 324(1) of the TCPA 1990;

(k)

in paragraph 22, in sub-paragraph (2A) inserted into paragraph 8 of Schedule 1A to the TCPA 1990, omit “62D, 62F,”;

(l)

in paragraph 23(2), for “62D” substitute “62M”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I12Sch. 3 para. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Infrastructure Act 2015 (c. 7)

13

(1)

The Infrastructure Act 2015 is amended as follows.

(2)

In Schedule 6, in paragraph 11(6), after paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa)

infrastructure consent under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024;”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I13Sch. 3 para. 13 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22)

14

(1)

The Housing and Planning Act 2016 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 205(1), in the definition of “planning consent”—

(a)

in paragraph (a), after “Act,” omit “or”;

(b)

in paragraph (b), after “2008” insert—“, or

  1. (a)

    infrastructure consent under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I14Sch. 3 para. 14 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)

Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 (asc 3)

15

(1)

The Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 is amended as follows.

(2)

In section 11 (requirement for works to be authorised by scheduled monument consent), after subsection (2) insert—

“(3)

This section is subject to section 20(1)(c)(i) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (class authorisations and authorisation by scheduled monument consent not required for development to the extent that infrastructure consent required).”

(3)

In section 58(4) (exception to offence of damaging certain monuments of special historical interest), after paragraph (b) insert—

“(c)

works for which infrastructure consent has been given under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024.”

(4)

In section 88 (requirement for works to be authorised by listed building consent: exceptions), after subsection (3) insert—

“(4)

This section is subject to section 20(1)(c)(ii)of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (authorisation by listed building consent not required for development to the extent that infrastructure consent is required).”

(5)

In section 118(2) (exception to offence of intentionally damaging listed building), after paragraph (e) insert—

“(f)

anything for which infrastructure consent has been given under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024.”

(6)

In section 161 (requirement for demolition to be authorised by conservation area consent), after subsection (5) insert—

“(6)

This section is subject to section 20(1)(c)(iii) of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 (authorisation by conservation area consent not required for development to the extent that infrastructure consent required).””

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I15Sch. 3 para. 15 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 147(2)