Significant infrastructure projects (SIP): what to submit with your application

We will only accept applications that are complete and valid. Missing documents can delay the process or result in your application being returned to you. 

All significant infrastructure projects (SIP) applications must include the following:

• Application form
• A plan drawn to an identified scale showing the location of the project and showing the direction of north. For development in the Welsh Marine Area, co-ordinates which identify the location of the project.
• Draft Infrastructure Consent Order (ICO) including all provisions, schedules, and deemed consents. The draft ICO must be provided in both English and Welsh and should be accompanied with certification confirming both versions are equivalent.
• Explanatory Memorandum. This should justify the need for the project and include reference to the relevant statutory powers and regulations under which the application is made. It should include a detailed account of each power or provision being requested in the draft ICO, with reasons for their inclusion. Where revoked or deemed consents are included, it should clearly identify where in the ICO the requirements are located. The Explanatory Memorandum must be provided in English and Welsh, and should be accompanied with certification confirming both versions are equivalent.
• Pre-application consultation (PAC) report. This should clearly set out how you have engaged with the public and relevant organisations before submitting your application. It should include:
  • A summary of the consultation process, including who was consulted and how. Personal data, like contact details for individuals, should be provided as a confidential appendix for redaction before publication. Copies of the consultation materials (such as letters, notices or online posts).
  • A summary of the feedback received from consultees.
  • Details of how you have considered and addressed the feedback in your application.
  • Any changes made to the proposal as a result of the consultation.
• Any other plans, drawings and information necessary to describe the proposed development,
• A copy of the notice of acceptance given by the Welsh Ministers,
• An Environmental Statement if applicable, including a non-technical summary
• A statement on whether the proposal involves any statutory nuisances from section 79(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and, if so, how the applicant proposes to mitigate or limit them
• A shadow Habitat Regulation assessment
• Where applicable, a flood risk assessment
• Any fee payable to the Welsh Ministers
• A statement identifying who will be responsible for designing and building the connection to the electricity grid, and:
  • where the application pertains to a gas-fuelled generating station, a statement identifying who will be responsible for designing and building the gas pipeline connection to the generating station, or
• For development within the Welsh marine area:
  • details of the proposed route and method of installation of any cable
  • a statement about any safety zone applications the applicant proposes to make under section 95 of the Energy Act 2004.
• Section drawings, drawn to identified horizontal and vertical scales which show (by reference to Ordnance Survey or Chart datum) the levels of the proposed works, including where relevant:
  • ground levels
  • the height of proposed bridges, viaducts, aqueducts, embankments, and elevated guideways
  • the depths of proposed cuttings and tunnels
  • the levels of the bed in any tidal waters or inland waterways where works are intended
  • the heights of any structure or device (including cables, excluding catenary systems and related equipment) intended to be erected above, on or below the surface of, or on or beneath the bed, of tidal waters of an inland waterway
  • drainage outfall details for highways.
• Cross-sections of every intended tunnel and any altered gradient of a carriageway or a way forming part of a guided transport system on either side of every level crossing, bridge, tunnel or underpass which would carry the carriageway or way or through which it would pass
• A statement explaining why an infrastructure consent order is desirable for securing the improvement, maintenance or management of the harbour in an efficient and economical manner, or facilitating the efficient and economic transport of goods or passengers by sea or in the interests of the recreational use of sea-going ships.
• A statement that the draft infrastructure consent order includes provision in relation to Crown land or rights benefitting the Crown, and
• If applicable, a copy of the authorisation from the relevant Crown authority consenting to the provision.

Applications that affect a conservation area(s) or listed building(s) and their setting or a scheduled monument must provide a Heritage Impact Assessment. This should include sufficient information to enable both the significance of the asset and the impact of change to be understood. The results of the heritage impact assessment should be summarised in a heritage impact statement.

Additional requirements

Additional requirements to apply for the construction or extension of a Generating Station

• A statement identifying who will be responsible for designing and building the connection to the electricity grid; and
  • where the application pertains to a gas-fuelled generating station, a statement identifying who will be responsible for designing and building the gas pipeline connection to the generating station; or
• For development within the Welsh marine area
  • details of the proposed route and method of installation of any cable
  • a statement about any safety zone applications the applicant proposes to make under section 95 of the Energy Act 2004.

Additional requirements to apply for highway related developments, or for the construction or alteration of a railways or rail freight interchanges

• Section drawings, drawn to identified horizontal and vertical scales which show (by reference to Ordnance Survey or Chart datum) the levels of the proposed works, including where relevant:
  • ground levels,
  • the height of proposed bridges, viaducts, aqueducts, embankments, and elevated guideways,
  • the depths of proposed cuttings and tunnels,
  • the levels of the bed in any tidal waters or inland waterways where works are intended,
  • the heights of any structure or device (including cables, excluding catenary systems and related equipment) intended to be erected above, on or below the surface of, or on or beneath the bed, of tidal waters of an inland waterway,
  • drainage outfall details for highways,
• Cross-sections of every intended tunnel and any altered gradient of a carriageway or a way forming part of a guided transport system on either side of every level crossing, bridge, tunnel or underpass which would carry the carriageway or way or through which it would pass

Additional requirements to apply for the construction or alteration of harbour facilities

• A statement explaining why an infrastructure consent order is desirable for securing the improvement, maintenance or management of the harbour in an efficient and economical manner, or facilitating the efficient and economic transport of goods or passengers by sea or in the interests of the recreational use of sea-going ships.

Additional requirements to apply on Crown land

• A statement that the draft infrastructure consent order includes provision in relation to Crown land or rights benefitting the Crown, and
• If applicable, a copy of the authorisation from the relevant Crown authority consenting to the provision.

Additional requirements to apply for compulsory acquisition of land

Further guidance: Compulsory acquisition in infrastructure consenting

• A Book of Reference listing all land interests affected by the proposed development and their contact details. These are anyone with an interest in any part of the land to which the compulsory acquisition request relates including landowners, occupiers, and anyone with rights over the land. The book of reference must be cross-referenced with pre-application representations from these interested persons.
• A document which cross references pre-application representations received from interested persons with the book of reference.
• A copy of any notice served on any identified interested person.
• A plan showing the proposed land to be compulsorily acquired, any land to be acquired but excluded from the development area, any land on which private rights would be extinguished and any special category land or any land provided as replacement land to the proposed development.,  
• A separate plan showing the land subject to compulsory acquisition cross-referenced with the identified interested persons. This should also be accompanied by a shapefile.  
• A statement of reasons that must justify the compulsory acquisition sought and explain why there is a compelling case in the public interest for it.
• A statement of funding explaining how the compulsory acquisition is to be funded.

Application requirements for removed or deemed consents

If the application for a Significant Infrastructure Project (SIP) seeks to remove or deem consents listed in the Schedules of the Infrastructure Consent (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2025, it must include:

• A written statement specifying which consents the Infrastructure Consent Order (ICO) application intends to either remove or treat as granted (deem). It should identify where the relevant requirements that would normally be fulfilled by a separate consents, are addressed or incorporated within the draft ICO . This statement can be included in the Explanatory Memorandum. 

Additional requirements if the draft Infrastructure Consenting Order (ICO) includes a Deemed Marine Licence 

• A draft Deemed Marine Licence provided as a schedule to the draft ICO;
• The Explanatory Memorandum explaining the Deemed Marine Licence requirements
• Any pre-application advice received from Natural Resource Wales (NRW) and other relevant consultees about the draft Deemed Marine Licence 

Where the draft ICO includes provision to deem the consents listed in Schedule 3 of the Infrastructure Consent (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2025, some information would typically be sought for these standalone consents. A list of these will be published imminently.

An electronic copy should be submitted to PEDW at the same time as each relevant Planning Authority (PA). The applicant should follow the guidance on preparing and submitting documents and it is recommended to contact PEDW ahead of the submission. 

The applicant must write to PEDW as soon as possible after submitting copies to the PA(s) with confirmation.

Once PEDW is in receipt of a SIP application we will undertake checks to ensure it is a complete, valid submission before confirming whether the application has been accepted for examination or is being returned.

If additional information or amendments to the submission are required, PEDW will pause the validation period until the requested details are provided.

When an application is submitted to PEDW, we notify relevant PAs, Natural Resource Wales (NRW) if the development is within the Welsh Marine Area and any other PA we consider relevant so they are aware the application is considered in advance of acceptance.  

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that a valid application is submitted within 18 months of the notification of intent to submit (or any notified extension). 

If PEDW determines the application is invalid and the notification period has expired, the applicant will need to restart the notification process and carry out pre-application process again.

At the point of acceptance of a valid SIP submission, one or more Planning Inspectors will be appointed to examine the application. Depending on the type and scale of the project, there is provision for the Inspector(s) to be supported by Planning Officers or Assessors. 

PEDW will notify the application to:

• all the people listed in Section 34 of the Infrastructure Act (Wales) 2024
• all landowners or people with an interest in the land as listed in the Application form,
• all the relevant statutory and special consultees
• any adjoining owner or occupier of the land to which an application relates.
• If the application includes a request for compulsory acquisition, PEDW will notify all individuals listed in the Book of Reference.

Publication of submission documents

PEDW will publish application documents at the point that an application is Accepted for examination.

The application documents will be published on the planning casework portal.

• The Infrastructure Act (Wales) 2024
• The Infrastructure Consent (Pre-Application and Application Procedure and Transitional Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/690)
• The Infrastructure Consent (Compulsory Acquisition) (Wales) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/691)
• The Infrastructure Consent (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2025