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<p>Effective consultation with local communities on nationally significant infrastructure
projects (NSIPs) is essential to ensuring that projects are delivered in the right
way. That is why on 30 April we updated our guidance on public consultation during
the pre-application stage for NSIPs.</p><p>This new guidance outlines the expectations
examining inspectors will have that effective engagement will support better quality
applications. Applicants will now be required to include a clear programme of engagement
which reflects the complexity and scale of the project proposed.</p><p>The guidance
also emphasises the importance of frontloaded consultation so that applicants can
resolve issues at an early stage, and how communities can influence and shape projects
so they can be accommodated to maximise local benefits and minimise any disbenefits.</p>
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